This large shrub to small tree has a solitary greyish trunk with spreading branches that form a dense rounded crown. It has large leathery glossy green oblong leaves and the large fragrant creamy white cup shaped flowers appear singularly during late summer.

Hardiness zones 8 to 9

Magnolia delavayi is naturally found in southern China growing in woodlands on hillsides and the adjoining valleys in Guizhou, Sichuan and Yunna at an altitude that ranges from 1,500 m (4,921 ft) to 2,800 m (9,186 ft). 

It prefers an open  sunny to partially shaded wind protected position and grows in deep well drained organic rich moist sandy to clay loam that is neutral tending acidic with a pH range from 5.2 to 7.5. It is a slightly drought and frost tolerant and prefers reliable moist soil.

The Chinese Evergreen Magnolia is grown for its fragrant flowers and its dense rounded crown. It is planted in parks and gardens as a lawn specimen for shade or as a specimen and along borders for screening. It is suitable for inland and low-mountain regions and establishes in 4-6 years and is long-lived. 

This slow-growing large shrub is also planted in fragrant gardens or woodland settings but is not commonly cultivated and it may be difficult to obtain requiring a specialist nursery. ID 3426

Magnolia (mag-NO-lee-uh) delavayi (del-uh-VAY-ee)

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