Description
Magnolia grandiflora 'Goliath' Shrub | Southern magnolia
This Southern magnolia shrub is Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) ‘Goliath’, supplied in shrub form rather than as a single-stemmed tree. It grows upright, bushy and broadly spreading, creating a substantial shrub silhouette with strong visual presence. At maturity, it reaches an average height of approximately 6 metres. Its broad evergreen foliage stays dark green throughout the year and has a glossy surface, giving the plant a reliable presence in the garden. Large, fragrant white flowers add seasonal interest and make this an outstanding ornamental feature from summer onwards. The combination of evergreen leaves, scented flowers and a broad shape makes it well suited to use as a specimen shrub. In a UK garden, it is best considered for a sheltered position, with protection from cold winds and severe frost. This is a substantial ornamental shrub with normal site requirements, including suitable soil and good drainage. The plant belongs to the magnolia genus and is also known as Evergreen magnolia or bull bay. Its broad evergreen foliage gives structure in every season, while the shrub form keeps the plant’s presence at shrub level and allows it to create volume across a border or other spacious garden setting.
Key features of Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
- Flowers: Large, fragrant white flowers appear from July to September. Flowering is a notable ornamental feature and brings seasonal scent to a suitable sheltered position.
- Foliage: The leaves are dark green, glossy and evergreen. This gives the Southern magnolia shrub year-round foliage and a consistent visual presence, including through the UK winter.
- Position and soil: Grow in full sun or partial shade, preferably in a sheltered position. The plant prefers humus-rich, well-drained, slightly acidic and slightly moist soil. Moisture should be consistent, but the soil must not remain waterlogged. Well-drained, aerated soil is important.
- Growth and form: ‘Goliath’ is an upright, bushy and broadly spreading shrub. Its low, multi-branched shrub structure creates visual width and a substantial presence, clearly different from a single-stemmed tree form. As an evergreen flowering shrub, it can suit the range of Evergreen shrubs for gardens with suitable soil and space.
Uses of the Southern magnolia shrub in the garden
- Specimen planting: Use this Southern magnolia shrub as a specimen in a border, on a patio or in a large garden. Its broad, bushy shape creates volume and structure at shrub level, making it a strong focal point without relying on a tree-form silhouette.
- Hardiness and shelter: The supplied tolerance is approximately -17.8°C to -12.2°C, corresponding to USDA zone 7. Even so, the plant is sensitive to severe frost and cold winds, so a sheltered position is important in the variable UK climate.
- Plant combinations: Combine it with shrubs, woodland-style planting or perennial border plants that appreciate similar conditions. Choose plants suited to sunny or partially shaded positions and humus-rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. These combinations can support a calm, structured planting scheme.
- Ornamental value: The main appeal is the balance of glossy evergreen foliage, large fragrant white flowers and a broad, bushy shrub silhouette. It provides year-round foliage, seasonal fragrance and a substantial focal presence in a suitable garden setting.
This Southern magnolia shrub is a distinctive choice for a sheltered UK garden where evergreen foliage, fragrant summer flowers and a broad specimen shape are wanted.
