This shrub has upright spreading branches that form a conical to a broad dense bushy habit. It has glossy green leathery leaves and the fragrant yellowish-purple saucer-shaped flowers are creamy-purple inside and appear from spring to summer.

Hardiness zones 9 to 11

Michelia figo is naturally found in south-west China growing in well drained moderately fertile slightly acidic moist soil. It prefers a semi shaded to sunny position and is frost resistant but drought and salt tender.

The Port Wine Magnolia is grown for as flowers and a bushy habit. It is planted along borders for screening or trimmed to form an informal hedge. It is also used in fragrant gardens and establishes in 4 to 10 years and is long lived. It may also be clipped and used as a topiary specimen. This plant is not drought tolerant and requires moist fertile soils and ample water during dry periods. ID 390

Michelia (mee-CHEL-ee-a / mee-SHEL-ee-a) figo (FEE-go)

'Michelia': after Italian botanist Pietro Antonio Micheli; 'figo': local name for the plant in China.

Magnoliaceae (mag-NOL-ee-AY-see-ee)