Bull Bay Galissonnière

A cultivar of the American bull bay, Magnolia grandiflora Galissonnière has been in grown in France for centuries, and so is well adapted to north European winters. It is a large, slow-growing evergreen shrub or tree with a rounded, conical habit, but is often grown trained against a warm wall, as it otherwise has a tendency to drop a lot of leaves during very cold periods. The oblong, leathery, shiny, deep green leaves have rusty-red undersides. The big, waxy, goblet-shaped flowers, up to 9”/25cm across, are a soft creamy white and highly scented, stunning against the glossy green leaves. The flowers appear in late summer and autumn, so are not damaged by late frosts. Unlike many magnolias, bull bay Galissonnière will tolerate alkaline soils if they are not heavy and wet.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Humus-rich, well drained, moist soil, preferably acid to neutral
Position: Best in full sun, tolerates partial shade
Season of interest: All year,  particularly late summer to autumn
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: up to 50’ (15m)  Spread: 33’ (10m) if untrained