Magnolia White Caviar

The Magnolia 'White Caviar' (formerly known as Michelia) is an exotic-looking shrub with shiny, evergreen leaves. It produces many creamy white flowers with pink stamens in late spring and early summer, which are fragrant. Vigorous but a bit sensitive to cold, it will prefer rather mild oceanic climates, and a location in partial shade or light sun, in cool and acidic soil. It can also find its place on your terrace, to create an exotic and original decoration.

The Michelia 'White Caviar' belongs to the Michelia genus, which botanists have now reclassified under Magnolia. Therefore, you may find this plant under both names, Magnolia or Michelia 'White Caviar'. All belong to the very ancient Magnoliaceae family, which includes fossil plants dating back 90 million years.

This beautiful variety is a hybrid between Michelia / Magnolia figo and M. laevifolia, two shrubs native to the high-altitude forests of China. With a very exotic appearance, it has tough, glossy foliage, evergreen, dark green with a slightly lighter underside. Between May and July, the shrub produces delicate reddish-brown floral buds, which eventually open into a cream-white flower about 4 to 6 cm in diameter, with pink stamens. These flowers resemble a miniature Magnolia grandiflora flower. As with many Michelias, the blooming is highly fragrant and reminiscent of the scent of ripe fruits like banana. The shrub can reach a height of around 3 m tall by 2 m wide, with a fairly dense habit.

While robust and fairly vigorous, the Michelia 'White Caviar' has moderate hardiness: it's best not to expose it to temperatures regularly below -10°C. Therefore, reserve a location in bright shade, well sheltered from east and north winds that could easily damage its beautiful foliage and compromise its flowering. Strong sun can also scorch its leaves. It appreciates cool, rich soil that doesn't dry out in summer, and is rather acidic. In limestone soil, the plant grows poorly and its leaves turn yellow.

Its uniqueness allows it to be used as a standalone specimen, highlighted in an exotic setting alongside companions like Fatsia polycarpa, Fuchsia regia or Schefflera taiwaniana, and perennials like Boehmeria biloba, Hosta 'Halcyon', as well as with ferns like Athyrium otophorum var. okanum or Coniogramme emeiensis. Its dense habit also allows it to be used in a hedge, as well as in a large pot. Its growth will then be more restricted, and care should be taken to ensure the substrate doesn't dry out.