Photo: Thilo Machotta (Benutzer: thiloma), CC BY-SA 2.0 de · source
Pruning guide · Shrub
Mulan magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora): when and how to prune
Magnolia liliiflora
Mulan magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora) is best pruned in July.
| Pruning months | July |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in July |
| Flowering | April–May |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Mulan magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora): when to prune it?
Pruning is rarely needed. If something has to go, do it in summer, in July.
What else to prune in those months? July
Mulan magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora): how to prune it?
- Limit yourself to dead, damaged or awkwardly placed branches.
- Remove a branch completely back to a side branch or the trunk, rather than shortening it.
- Prune a little over several years rather than a lot at once.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: July.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in July can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Mulan magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora) flowers in April–May, when it attracts bees.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Don’t prune in winter or early spring: the cuts bleed and you remove the flower buds.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Mulan magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora) · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.