Tree · Magnoliaceae family

Kobushi magnolia

Magnolia kobus

Full sun to part shade in a garden ~4 m × ~3 m Flowers April to −29 °C

Flower colours Click a colour

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun to part shade

in a garden after 10 years~4 m
in the wild up to 10 m
spacing 6 m

FlowersApril

PlantingMarch–April, October–November

WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more

Part shade3–6 hours

Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

acidic to neutral soil

acidicneutralalkaline

average to moisthumus-richloamy

Watering

keep the soil evenly moistless when it rains

Frost

−29 °C

no winter protectionleafless in winter

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

8–10 m× spread 6–10.5 m

Plant 6 m apart.

Reaches maturity in about 10–20 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

FlowersPlantingFeeding

Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant).

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April · white

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, October–November

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

What to plant now (October) full list in October (244) →

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 55 g/m² a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

Honey fungus

Armillaria

diseasesource covers the whole genus

What you will see

Dieback of branches or the whole plant, smaller pale leaves. Under the bark at the root collar, white spongy tissue with a mushroom smell. Honey-coloured clusters of toadstools in autumn.

When to look

Summer – autumn

How to protect

Prevention
- Choose the least susceptible species; risky ground after old trees have been felled.
By hand all yearOnce confirmed, dig up and destroy affected roots and stumps; sink a 45 cm deep plastic barrier into the soil. There is no chemical control for gardeners.

Honey fungusdisease · summer – autumn

What you will see

Dieback of branches or the whole plant, smaller pale leaves. Under the bark at the root collar, white spongy tissue with a mushroom smell. Honey-coloured clusters of toadstools in autumn.

When to look

Summer – autumn

How to protect

Prevention
- Choose the least susceptible species; risky ground after old trees have been felled.
By hand all yearOnce confirmed, dig up and destroy affected roots and stumps; sink a 45 cm deep plastic barrier into the soil. There is no chemical control for gardeners.

Quick answers.

When does kobushi magnolia flower?

In April; the flowers are white.

Does kobushi magnolia tolerate shade?

It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.

How much space does kobushi magnolia need?

At maturity 6–10.5 m wide and 8–10 m tall; recommended spacing 6 m.

Honey fungus — what can you do?

Choose the least susceptible species; risky ground after old trees have been felled. Once confirmed, dig up and destroy affected roots and stumps; sink a 45 cm deep plastic barrier into the soil. There is no chemical control for gardeners.

Sources (16) Checked 24 October 2026