Campbell’s magnolia Magnolia campbellii
Campbell’s magnolia (Magnolia campbellii) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Magnoliaceae family, native to Eastern Himalaya (Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan) to Yunnan and northern Myanmar. It grows 12–25 m (39–82 ft) tall and 8–12 m (26–39 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 10 m (33 ft) apart.
Plan Campbell’s magnolia in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Campbell’s magnolia at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Magnoliaceae |
| Mature height | 12–25 m (39–82 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–12 m (26–39 ft) |
| Spacing | 10 m (33 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about February for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern Himalaya (Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan) to Yunnan and northern Myanmar |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇮🇳 India |
Is Campbell’s magnolia toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Campbell’s magnolia
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Campbell’s magnolia
- How far apart should I plant Campbell’s magnolia?
- About 10 m (33 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–12 m (26–39 ft).
- Does Campbell’s magnolia need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Campbell’s magnolia need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Campbell’s magnolia?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does Campbell’s magnolia flower?
- From about February for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Campbell’s magnolia poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Campbell’s magnolia?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Campbell’s magnolia. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of Nepal (online flora and checklist), Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh with Nepalese and international partners
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A plant of the cool, misty Himalayan and west Chinese mountains: it wants moist, humus-rich soil and shelter from hot sun and drying wind, and sulks in hot, humid summers.
- Huge pink cup-and-saucer flowers open on bare branches in late winter. Trees raised from seed famously take 20 to 30 years to flower, so grafted named forms are planted; frost on a cold night browns the open flowers. Great old trees grow in the mild gardens of Cornwall and western Ireland.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Saucer magnolia Magnolia x soulangeana
- Southern magnolia Magnolia grandiflora
- Tulip tree Liriodendron tulipifera
- Yulan magnolia Magnolia denudata
- Champak Magnolia champaca
- White champaka (champi) Magnolia × alba
- Star magnolia (shidekobushi) Magnolia stellata
- Lily magnolia (mulan) Magnolia liliiflora