This evergreen shrub has a solitary or multiple smooth woody stems with spreading branches that form a dense bushy habit. It has leathery dark green oblong leaves and the fragrant white cup-shaped flowers appear singularly from mid to late spring.

Hardiness zones 7 to 9

Magnolia laevifoliais a naturally found in the Yunnan province of China and Tibet growing in woodlands on mountain slopes and the adjoining valleys to an attitude of 274 m (900 ft).

It prefers a wind protected sunny to semi-shade position and it grows in well-drained organic rich moist sandy to clay loam that is tending acidic with a pH range from 5.5 to 7.5. It is frosts and slightly drought tolerant.

Michelia is grown for its fragrant flowers and compact bushy habit. It is planted along borders in parks and gardens or screening or use in a scented garden. It can also be grown in large tubs or planter boxes or used in a woodland setting. It is suitable for inland and low-mountain regions and establishes in 3-5 years and is long-lived. This shrub can be trained into a small tree or espalieated against a wall. ID 3748

Magnolia (mag-NO-lee-a) laevifolia (lee-vih-FOH-lee-uh)

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