- Botanical name: Magnolia liliiflora 'Nigra'
- Common name: Black lily magnolia
- Plant Type: Shrub, Tree, Deciduous
Purple
Green
- Key features:
- Flowers
- Low maintenance plant
- Prefers rich soil
Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’, the black lily magnolia, is a beautiful shrub that eventually becomes a small, multi-stemmed tree. It’s grown for its sumptuous, large, tulip-shaped flowers that are deep purple-red on the outside, paler on the inside. They appear later than most magnolias – mostly in late spring and early summer, then sporadically through to early autumn.
As Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’ only reaches around 4m x 2.5m, it is suitable for a smaller garden. Unlike many magnolias, it’s deciduous.
Grow Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’ in a sun or partial shade, sheltered from strong winds. Magnolias do best in moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil. When planting, add plenty of well rotted manure or garden compost to the planting hole, then add a mulch of rotted bark chips or manure, leaf mould or garden compost afterwards. Continue to mulch each spring and keep well watered until established.
Late frosts may damage flower buds, so cover the plant with fleece if possible if low temperatures are forecast. Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’ does not need pruning – trim to maintain its shape or remove any broken or crossing branches in midsummer.
Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’ holds the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Read our detailed guide to growing magnolias.
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Advice on buying Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’
- Make sure you have the right conditions for growing Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’ – it needs moist, neutral to acidic soil and shelter from strong winds
- You may find Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’ at the garden centre, but it’s most likely to be available at a specialist tree nursery or online
Where to buy Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’
How to grow Magnolia 'Nigra'
-
Plant size
4m height
2.5m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, east facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle, back
- Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / clay / heavy / moist
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Magnolia 'Nigra' and wildlife
Magnolia 'Nigra' has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Magnolia 'Nigra' poisonous?
Magnolia 'Nigra' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Magnolia 'Nigra'
