Michelias

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Michelias are one of the best ever flowering trees. New smaller growing varieties are now available.

Details

Common name: Michelia

Botanic name: Michelia doltsopa ‘Scented Pearl’ and Michelia doltsopa x M. figo ‘Mixed Up Miss’. The genus name Michelia is named after a Florentine botanist, Michel. It is from the same family as the Magnolia.

Climate: It is a warm to sub-tropical tree that will grow from Tasmania to Brisbane. It is native to China.

Good points:

The new varieties ‘Scented Pearl’ and ‘Mixed Up Miss’ are smaller and neater than the original Michelia doltsopa, reaching a height of 3m (10′), whereas the species will grow up to 10m (30′).
They flower at a younger age than the species.
‘Scented Pearl’ has dark foliage with almost black stems, white flowering with a glorious scent.
‘Mixed Up Miss’ flowers white with a port wine blush on the edge of the petals. The flowers never fully open.
Flowering begins in mid to late winter.
Hardy and frost tolerant shrub.

Downsides:

As grafted plants they are quite expensive.
As new varieties they will be difficult to find.

Uses:

Fragrant shrub with stunning flowers as a feature plant in the front or backyard.
Their smaller size will mean they could fit into almost any garden.

Likes:

Sunny position in well-drained soil.
To be left alone. Once well established will not tolerate being moved.

Getting started: These new varieties may be difficult to find, but should be readily available from nurseries in Melbourne. ‘Mixed Up Miss’ and ‘Scented Pearl’ cost around $35-$40 for a 20cm (8″) pot.