Depending on the variety, the slow-growing magnolia usually grows both in width and height and develops a dense, leafy crown. Nevertheless, the exotic large shrubs are only conditionally suitable for planting as a hedge.
Choose short-growing varieties for hedge planting
Not every type of magnolia can be planted as a hedge shrub, because some varieties reach very considerable heights with age. Instead, choose a magnolia with a maximum height of three meters, which also grow more shrub-like and less like a tree. You should also note that magnolias should not be pruned. The plants tolerate such an intervention only badly. For this reason, a magnolia hedge cannot be trimmed regularly, but should be allowed to grow more or less freely. Of course, you need a lot of space for this, because there must be no other plantings or any kind of building in the immediate vicinity of the magnolias. The trees need about as much space in width as in height - maybe even more.
Magnolia "Fairy" specially bred for hedge planting
The “Fairy” hybrid has been available in two colors in specialist shops for a number of years. This fragrant magnolia was bred specifically for hedge planting, but the stated hardiness for zones 7b-11 (i.e. down to a temperature of minus 15°C) is questionable. Since the parent plants of these new breeds come from subtropical or tropical regions of Southeast Asia, "Fairy" should not be planted in areas with cold winters.
How to plant a magnolia hedge
The same rules apply to planting a magnolia hedge as to planting a solitaire: the magnolias need a sunny, sheltered location and humus-rich, slightly acidic soil. The individual young magnolias should be planted about one meter apart so that they can develop into a dense hedge, but at the same time have enough space for each other. Incidentally, this also applies to other plantings, for example below the hedge. Magnolias do not like to be associated with other water-loving plants. Lawns and similar underplantings in particular are problematic, after all, the magnolia roots are just below the surface of the earth.
tips and tricks
Young magnolias in particular should be protected from frost over the winter, and this is especially true for magnolias in hedges. Above all, the root area must be protected from cold temperatures with a thick layer of bark mulch and brushwood.