Magnolia x loebneri 'Merrill' Tree

Magnolia x loebneri 'Merrill' is a beautiful small, deciduous tree or large shrub with a compact habit and reaches an estimated height and spread of 3.5 x 3 metres in 20 years. In early spring, an abundance of perfumed flowers adorn the bare branches. They open in a beautiful star-shape with around 15 petals that are white and flushed with pink. The mid-green oblong leaves follow later in the season, before falling in the autumn.

Holder of the RHS’s Award of Garden Merit, Magnolia x loebneri 'Merrill' will make a stunning addition to any garden and provide wonderful spring interest with its ample flowers. Like most Magnolias, ‘Merril’ grows best when planted in a sheltered spot, with full sun or partial shade and in slightly acidic to neutral soil.

AKA Magnolia x loebneri Merrill, Magnolia Merrill

• Common name: Magnolia 'Merrill'
• Awards: RHS Award of Garden Merit
• Height and spread in 20 years: 3.5 x 3 metres
• Flowers: Showy white flowers in spring
• Foliage: Deciduous mid-green foliage in summer
• Soil: Suited to all but prefers moist, slightly acidic soil
• Position: Full sun or part shade

Planting Advice for Magnolia Loebneri Merrill trees

Our pot grown Magnolia Merrill can be planted at any time of the year. Firstly, remove all weeds and grass within a metre of your desired planting hole. Dig a square hole as deep as your root mass and approximately 2x as wide. To help your Magnolia establish more effectively, sprinkle root grow in the hole.

Gently remove the pot but do not try to loosen the roots of Magnolia trees before planting. They have a fleshy root system and can be quite fragile. Using 50% of the original soil and 50% compost, fill in the hole and firm around gently. Make sure not to bank the soil up around the collar of the tree.

For tree forms of Dwarf Magnolia (not bushes), we recommend using a stake and tie kit and rabbit guard. Once planted, water well around the base. The help and advice section has further information and videos.

Aftercare Advice for Magnolia Merrill trees

If you’re planting White Magnolia in spring or summer, water well for the first few months. Increase watering if there are extended periods of hot or dry weather. Magnolias do not cope well with dry soils so this is especially important. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little. Irrigation kits make it easier.

Keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for several growing seasons.

Pruning Advice for Magnolia Loebneri Merrill trees

Magnolia Merrill trees can be pruned into shape, but should not be heavily pruned as they can go into shock. Simply remove any damaged branches or any that are growing in an awkward position.

If pruning to limit the overall size, stagger your pruning over a few years to alleviate the stress on your tree. Pruning for Magnolia should be carried out in mid-summer to early autumn. Avoid pruning in late winter to early spring.

Delivery Costs

*Free delivery promotion excludes mature trees, extra large kits and delivery to Highlands or Islands. Discount applies at checkout.

Delivery Times

Next Day Despatch
We will always try to get your plants to you as quickly as possible.  For many of our trees and plants, if you order today we will despatch your order within 24 hours.  We are constantly adding to our range of next day plants, and we do not add a surcharge for this service. Click here to see our next day delivery plants.

Standard Delivery
We have one of the widest range of trees in the UK, and for those plants which we cannot despatch next day we will normally despatch within 4 weeks. The despatch time for different products will be confirmed when products are added to your shopping basket

Pre-orders
We will only want to deliver your orders when they are perfect for planting! Depending on the season and how well the plants are growing, we will give our best estimates of the despatch dates for pre-orders.  These dates may vary and by species and while we will always try to deliver within these timeframes if the expected despatch does change then we will notify you by email.

Special Orders
Orders containing pleached or mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) are delivered within 3 weeks. They require specialist delivery and are grouped geographically. Any customers ordering pleached or mature trees will be contacted and notified of their delivery date.

If your trees are required by a specific date, please let us know as soon as possible; while we can’t offer any guarantees we will always do our best to accommodate you. You can leave instructions in the notes field on the Delivery Page of the Checkout or send us an email at [email protected].

Please note that orders are shipped once all the trees in the order are ready.

Collections
Collections are by appointment only at our West Yorkshire-based nursery. If you would like to place an order for collection, please get in touch before placing your order. You will not be charged a delivery cost for a collection and any delivery cost that has been applied will be refunded.

The product table at the bottom of the page gives the forms and sizes available for this variety. Please note, photos are a guideline as all plants are unique. *Pot sizes may vary. Below are definitions of terms:

Supplied Size: Height measured from the top of the pot.

Single Stem tree: Classic tree with one trunk, pruned for a beautiful, natural shape.

Top grafted tree: A height next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Ideal for small spaces.

Feathered tree: Branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.

Multi Stem tree: Two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system.

Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.

Clump: Several plants in one pot that give the appearance of a bushy multi stem tree.

Climber: Naturally climbing plant. Usually delivered running up a cane, ready to position in the garden.

Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branches of the crown). Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height.