A two-tone effect
Darker outer surfaces and pink interiors give each flower depth.
Magnolia 'Susan' 23cm
Normal price
€34,90
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Magnolia ‘Susan’
Spring without a grand entrance? Susan disagrees 💃
- Large cup-shaped flowers
- Purple outside, pink within
- Deciduous shrub
- Spring flowering
Magnolia ‘Susan’ opens the spring performance with large flowers shaped like deep cups. Their reddish-purple outer surfaces meet softer pink interiors, creating a contrast that changes as each flower opens. Across its branching framework, every bud finds a place of its own, and the flowering display brings a quiet yet striking presence to the garden.
Later, large green leaves fill the crown and give its position a cooler, quieter appearance. Its naturally multi-stemmed habit suits gardens where it can develop freely and remain visible both at close range and from a window indoors.
This cultivar received the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
What makes it special
Spring cups, generous summer foliage and naturally branching shrubby growth.
Scented flowers
Large cup-shaped flowers are scented and appear mainly in mid-spring.
Free-growing shrubby form
Multiple stems create a broad, branching crown without geometric clipping.
Why you will love it: the spring display looks as though it was designed one flower at a time.
In the garden & on the balcony Placement & plant combinations Position, growing space and compatible companions
Planting position
Sun or partial shade, protected from strong winds and late-frost pockets. Leave sufficient space around the crown and avoid positions that would require repeated transplanting.
Colour & compatibility
Combine with gentle green tones and plants favouring acid to neutral soil. Avoid deep cultivation near the base because fleshy roots dislike disturbance.
- Camellia japonica — An evergreen background in compatible acidic, well-drained soil, with space for separate crowns.
- Hydrangea macrophylla — Summer flowering continuity in sheltered partial shade and moisture-retentive soil.
- Helleborus — Lower winter and early spring interest in a suitable partially shaded position.
Care at a glance
Light
Sun or partial shade with wind protection.
Watering
Consistent moisture without standing water.
Climate & hardiness
Cold-hardy wood; open flowers remain vulnerable to frost.
Safety
Ornamental plant, not for eating. Keep away from children or pets that chew plants.
Detailed careComplete care guidePlanting, water, maintenance and seasonal care
Careful planting
Keep the root ball as intact as possible and plant at its existing depth. Avoid heavy, waterlogged positions and deep disturbance of the fleshy roots.
Water and mulch
Water deeply during establishment and dry spells. Organic mulch helps conserve moisture; keep it clear of stem bases.
Cold and flowers
RHS H6 corresponds to approximately −20 to −15°C under UK conditions. This concerns the established plant, not its open flowers, which late frost can damage.
Feeding
On poor soil apply a suitable complete fertiliser in spring according to the label. Do not try to correct unsuitable, strongly alkaline soil simply by adding more fertiliser.
Pruning
Removing dead or unwanted branches is usually enough. If shaping is needed, make limited interventions from mid-summer to early autumn, avoiding drought and severe clipping.
Growing in a pot
It can start in a large pot, but its mature scale requires considerable root space and consistent moisture monitoring. For long-term growth prefer a suitable position in the ground.
Development over timeFrom bud to summer crownFrom establishment to the natural mature form
Early years
Concentrate on steady root establishment. Flowering intensity varies with age and conditions.
Mature presence
Approximately 2.5–4 m tall and wide over 10–20 years, depending on space, soil and climate.
Seasonal cycle
Spring flowering precedes or overlaps leaf emergence. The green crown dominates summer, while winter reveals the branching framework.
Mature form & dimensions
10–20 yearsHeight 2.5–4 mSpread 2.5–4 mMulti-stemmed deciduous shrub
Indicative natural dimensions; position, age and pruning influence the final form.
Form through time
SpringCup-shaped flowers before the crown fills
SummerBroad leaves without the spring flower display
Schematic seasonal illustration, not a guarantee of simultaneous appearance or timing.
History & origin Cultivar origin The history of this particular cultivar
‘Susan’ belongs to the Little Girl group from the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. Work began in 1955 with Francis de Vos and continued with William Kosar; the eight named selections were introduced in 1968.
It derives from Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’ crossed with Magnolia stellata ‘Rosea’. The selection combines a shrubby habit with striking flowers and relatively later spring flowering, without eliminating the risk from late frost.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Petals called tepals
In magnolias, the perianth parts are not clearly separated into distinct sepals and petals. Tepals describes these similar parts; ‘Susan’ usually has six, forming its characteristic cup.
Three chromosome sets
The Little Girl hybrids are triploid. Three chromosome sets complicate normal reproductive cell formation, so these hybrids are described as sterile and maintained by vegetative propagation.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers for this particular plant.
01When does it flower?
Mainly in mid-spring, with local differences depending on winter conditions and rising temperatures.
02Does it remain green in winter?
No, it is deciduous. Winter leaf loss is normal.
03Does cold hardiness protect the flowers too?
No. The wood tolerates much more cold than open flowers, which remain vulnerable to late frost.
04Does it need another magnolia?
Not for flowering. ‘Susan’ is grown for its flowers and is a sterile triploid hybrid.
05Should it be pruned every year?
Regular hard pruning is unnecessary. Remove only what is needed for health and gentle shaping.
06Can it grow in strongly chalky soil?
This is not its preferred setting. It favours acid to neutral soil; assess the ground before permanent planting.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.