Magnolia Denudata Yulan Lily Tree

Magnolia Denudata, more commonly known as Lily Tree or Yulan Magnolia, is one of the showiest flowering magnolia cultivars. With a profuse display of fragrant, white blossoms in spring, and striking pink fruits in autumn, this compact deciduous tree offers multiple seasons of interest. This variety is an excellent choice for a specimen tree.

In April, masses of cup-shaped white flowers appear on the tree, before the foliage unfolds, beautifully contrasted by the dark glossy bark. Delicate and large, the upright flowers will slowly open their petals, resembling lilies: hence the name Lily tree. The creamy blossoms can sometimes be tinged with pale pink on the base of the petals, and are up to 8 cms long. The foliage appears as the flowers start to fade, ovate and medium green up until autumn when they turn to yellowish hues before dropping. In autumn, the previously brownish fruit turns to vibrant, deep pink, adorning the tree well into winter months.

Height and Spread of Magnolia Denudata
A small deciduous ornamental tree, Yulan Magnolia is usually below 9 metres in both height and width.

How Hardy Is Magnolia Denudata
A Chinese native, this cultivar is fully hardy in the United Kingdom. For its reliable performance and impressive qualities, Magnolia Denudata Yulan won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by Royal Horticultural Society.

How To Use Magnolia Denudata
Highly decorative and relatively compact, Lily Tree is ideally suited to be grown as a focus of interest, in small and large gardens alike. The breathtaking display of blossoms adds a touch of drama to the landscape early in the year, often upstaging other cultivars with its dazzling looks.

Even though this beautiful tree is most often grown as a specimen tree, it can shine in mixed borders as well, especially when complemented by lush evergreen cultivars.

How To Care For Magnolia Denudata
Easy to grow and to care for, Yulan Magnolia will thrive in moist but well-drained neutral to acid soil that has consistent moisture throughout the year. When it comes to location in the garden, Magnolia Denudata Yulan fares well in both full sun and partial shade, as long as it is in a sheltered spot, safe from harsh winds. The Lily tree is best left to its own devices, and it should not be pruned.

Attractive appearance and ease of maintenance make deciduous magnolias appealing to gardeners, but Yulan Magnolia is particularly prized as one of the more impressive varieties. Its marvelous features and compact size in maturity make it versatile and suitable for various uses in the garden, but Lily Tree is at its best when grown as a specimen tree. See also other Magnolia cultivars we have for sale, such as Magnolia Denudata Yellow River, a yellow-flowering variety.