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port wine magnolia spacing

Choosing the right port wine magnolia spacing is essential for growing healthy, bushy plants with abundant fragrant flowers. Whether you’re planting a hedge for privacy, creating a feature specimen, or adding structure to your garden, knowing how far apart to plant your Michelia figo ensures your port wine magnolia will thrive for years to come. Careful consideration of spacing not only influences the health and growth of your plants, but also impacts the overall appearance of your landscape.

A Michelia figo (Port Wine Magnolia) plant with pink blushed flowers and dark green foliage.

Michelia figo

5 from 2 customers

Michelia figo, commonly known as the Port Wine Magnolia, is a compact evergreen tree prized for its delightfully fragrant, cream-white flowers and glossy foliage. Ideal for hedging, screening, or as a specimen tree, it brings year-round beauty and subtle perfume to New Zealand gardens.

From $34.43

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Trees
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
magnolia-grandiflora-kay-parris-

Magnolia 'Kay Parris'

5 from 2 customers

Magnolia 'Kay Parris' is an elegant evergreen tree prized for its glossy foliage, compact growth habit, and impressive creamy white flowers. The large blooms are beautifully fragrant and create a striking display against the rich green leaves, while the evergreen canopy provides valuable structure throughout the year.

From $387.55

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Trees
Height: 4.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, White
magnolia-grandiflora-ferruginea-2
Magnolia grandiflora 'Ferruginea'

Magnolia grandiflora 'Ferruginea' is a magnificent evergreen magnolia known for its glossy green foliage, striking rusty brown leaf undersides, and...

From$515.35
magnolia-russet-
Magnolia grandiflora 'Russet'

Magnolia grandiflora 'Russet' is a striking evergreen magnolia valued for its glossy dark green leaves with rich russet brown undersides and large...

From$387.55
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Magnolia 'Heaven Scent'

Magnolia 'Heaven Scent' is an elegant deciduous tree prized for its fragrant spring flowers and attractive upright form. The large blooms appear on...

From$387.55
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Magnolia liliiflora 'Nigra'

Magnolia liliiflora 'Nigra' is a striking deciduous shrub or small tree prized for its richly coloured spring flowers and compact garden form. The...

From$270.40
Arctotis 'Magenta Wine' purple flower.
Arctotis 'Magenta Wine'

Arctotis 'Magenta Wine' delivers rich magenta blooms that bring depth and vibrancy to NZ gardens. This striking variety thrives in full sun and dry...

From$22.01
Exquisite Magnolia 'Genie' dark purple flowers.
Magnolia 'Genie'

Magnolia 'Genie' is a compact, deciduous magnolia prized for its rich, burgundy-purple, tulip-shaped flowers, which bloom in early spring. This...

From$270.40
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Magnolia denudata 'Gere'

Magnolia denudata 'Gere' is a magnificent deciduous tree celebrated for its large, fragrant white flowers that appear in late winter and early spring...

From$387.55
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Magnolia 'Deryk'

Magnolia 'Deryk' is a striking deciduous tree prized for its richly coloured spring flowers and attractive garden form. The large blooms appear...

From$387.55
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Magnolia 'Vulcan'

Magnolia 'Vulcan' is an iconic deciduous magnolia bred in New Zealand and celebrated for its spectacular large deep crimson red flowers that appear...

From$270.40
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Magnolia 'DD Blanchard'

Magnolia 'DD Blanchard' is a magnificent evergreen tree admired for its large glossy green leaves with rich copper brown undersides and elegant...

From$515.35
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Magnolia stellata 'Waterlily'

Magnolia stellata 'Waterlily' is a beautiful deciduous magnolia admired for its masses of fragrant white flowers that appear in late winter and early...

From$270.40
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Magnolia 'Charles Raffill'

Magnolia 'Charles Raffill' is an impressive deciduous tree prized for its spectacular spring flowers and handsome garden form. The large blooms...

From$515.35
Magnolia denudata

Magnolia denudata, commonly known as the Lily Tree or Yulan Magnolia, is a deciduous tree admired for its large, fragrant, creamy white flowers that...

From$270.40
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Magnolia 'Teddy Bear'

Magnolia 'Teddy Bear' is a compact evergreen magnolia admired for its glossy dark green leaves with rich brown felted undersides and its large...

From$270.40
Magnolia 'Cleopatra' purple flowers.
Magnolia 'Cleopatra'

Magnolia 'Cleopatra' is a compact, upright deciduous magnolia bred in New Zealand and admired for its large, goblet-shaped, cerise-purple flowers...

From$270.40
A dark pink Magnolia 'Cameo' flower on a young tree before the foliage emerges.
Magnolia 'Cameo'

Magnolia 'Cameo' is a stunning deciduous magnolia prized for its upright, tulip-shaped flowers, which appear in early to mid-spring. The blooms are...

From$387.55
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Magnolia 'Margaret Helen'

Magnolia 'Margaret Helen' is an elegant deciduous tree prized for its impressive spring flowers and attractive garden form. The large blooms appear...

From$387.55
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Magnolia 'Strawberry Fields'

Magnolia 'Strawberry Fields' is a striking deciduous tree prized for its richly coloured spring flowers and attractive garden form. The large blooms...

From$515.35
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' white flower.
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'

Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ is a compact, evergreen tree prized for its glossy green leaves and large, fragrant white flowers. Growing to...

From$41.33
A beautiful Magnolia 'Star Wars' tree with masses of pink flowers.
Magnolia 'Star Wars'

Magnolia 'Star Wars' is a striking deciduous magnolia known for its large, star-shaped flowers in shades of deep pink with pale interiors. Blooming...

From$387.55
A stunning white Magnolia stellata flower.
Magnolia stellata

Magnolia stellata, commonly known as the Star Magnolia or Starry Magnolia, features dark pink flower buds that open in spring to reveal star-shaped...

From$270.40
Magnolia 'Fairy Cream' tree with elegant, cream-white flowers.
Magnolia 'Fairy Cream'

Magnolia 'Fairy Cream' is a compact, evergreen Magnolia perfect for New Zealand gardens. It grows to around 3–4 metres tall and 2 metres wide, with...

From$136.04
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Magnolia 'Honey Tulip'

Magnolia 'Honey Tulip' is an outstanding deciduous tree renowned for its rich golden yellow, tulip shaped flowers that appear in early spring before...

From$515.35
Grape Sauvignon Blanc fruit hanging on a vine.
Grape 'Sauvignon Blanc'

Grape 'Sauvignon Blanc' is a world-famous white wine grape known for producing crisp, aromatic wines with notes of tropical fruit, lime, and...

From$30.29
A lovely Magnolia 'Lennei alba' specimen tree covered in white flowers.
Magnolia lennei 'Alba'

Magnolia 'Lennei Alba', commonly known as Saucer Magnolia, bears masses of large, showy, semi-double, fragrant, ivory-white flowers that are borne on...

From$387.55
An exquisite Magnolia 'Iolanthe' two-tone pink flower.
Magnolia Iolanthe

Magnolia 'Iolanthe' is a stunning deciduous magnolia known for its large, goblet-shaped pink flowers with creamy interiors that bloom in early to...

From$387.55
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Weigela 'Wine And Roses'

Weigela 'Wine and Roses' is a striking deciduous shrub renowned for its rich burgundy purple foliage and masses of vibrant rosy pink trumpet shaped...

From$25.53
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Magnolia 'Old Port'

Magnolia 'Old Port' is a spectacular deciduous magnolia admired for its large deep burgundy red flowers that appear in late winter and early spring...

OUT OF STOCK
Ajuga 'Port Wine' plant in a pot for sale at The Plant Company.
Ajuga 'Port Wine'

Ajuga 'Port Wine' brings deep wine coloured foliage and vivid blue flower spikes to NZ gardens, creating a rich tapestry of colour in shaded and semi...

OUT OF STOCK
Magnolia virginiana white flower.
Magnolia virginiana (Sweetbay Magnolia)

Magnolia virginiana, often called sweetbay magnolia, is a refined, semi evergreen magnolia that brings fragrance and elegance to NZ gardens. Its...

OUT OF STOCK
Michelia figo

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Arctotis, Magnolia, and Michelia, or related Categories - Perennials, Evergreen Trees, and Magnolia Trees.

Search port wine magnolia spacing

Optimal Spacing for Port Wine Magnolia

For best results, port wine magnolia spacing should be between 1 to 1.5 metres apart when planting as a hedge. This dense spacing encourages plants to grow together, forming a lush, evergreen barrier ideal for screens or borders. If you prefer to grow a single specimen, allow two to three metres of space around your Michelia figo (Portwine Magnolia) to showcase its full, bushy form and keep airflow optimal.

Keep in mind that port wine magnolia has a slow to moderate growth rate, eventually reaching 2 to 4 metres tall and 1 to 2 metres wide. Providing enough spacing early on helps prevent overcrowding and disease, while also making it easier to shape your hedge or feature plant as it matures.

How Spacing Affects Growth and Health

Adequate port wine magnolia spacing ensures each plant receives sufficient sunlight and nutrients, encouraging robust growth and more prolific flowering. Crowding can lead to poor airflow, increasing the risk of fungal diseases and pest problems. Planting at the recommended distance also makes pruning and maintenance easier, helping keep your magnolias in top condition.

When laying out your garden, consider how quickly you want your hedge or specimen to fill in. Tighter spacing (around 1 metre) will create a denser screen faster, while wider spacing allows individual plants to develop more naturally.

Complementary Plants and Other Magnolias

Port wine magnolias combine beautifully with other evergreen and flowering shrubs. For a cohesive garden design, consider pairing your Michelia figo with interesting groundcovers like Ajuga 'Port Wine', which offers contrasting foliage and ground-hugging growth. Or add pops of colour and a variety of forms with other magnolias such as Magnolia virginiana (Sweetbay Magnolia), Magnolia Old Port, or the striking Magnolia delavayi (Chinese Evergreen Magnolia).

Tips for Planting Your Port Wine Magnolia

To get the most from your port wine magnolia spacing:

Whether you’re creating a fragrant hedge or a standout feature plant, getting your port wine magnolia spacing right will pay off with healthy plants and beautiful displays for years to come. For more information or to find premium plants, visit our Michelia figo (Portwine Magnolia) page.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

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