Magnolia 'Teddy Bear'

Magnolia 'Teddy Bear' is a compact, upright magnolia cultivar admired for its glossy, deep green leaves with a rich brown underside and its large, fragrant, creamy white flowers. Perfect for small to medium gardens, screening, or feature planting, 'Teddy Bear' offers year-round appeal with its dense, evergreen foliage and seasonal blooms.

Quick Overview:

• Height and Width: Typically grows 3–6 meters tall and 2–4 meters wide

• Foliage: Glossy, dark green leaves with velvety, bronze-brown undersides

• Flowers: Large, creamy white, highly fragrant blooms from late spring through summer

• Growth Habit: Upright, compact, pyramidal form

• Position: Full sun to part shade

• Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained soil; adaptable to most garden soils

• Tolerance: Light frost tolerant; drought hardy once established

• Maintenance: Low maintenance, prune lightly for shape after flowering if desired

• Etymology: Magnolia honours French botanist Pierre Magnol; 'Teddy Bear' refers to the soft, furry brown undersides of the leaves

Detailed Description:
Magnolia grandiflora 'Teddy Bear' is a highly sought-after variety of the iconic Southern Magnolia, prized for its compact, upright form and evergreen beauty. Unlike its larger relatives, 'Teddy Bear' fits beautifully into smaller gardens and urban landscapes, reaching around 3 to 6 meters tall with a neat, pyramidal habit.

Its leaves are a standout feature—glossy, deep green on top with a plush, rust-coloured underside that gives the plant its charming name. These dense leaves provide year-round structure and privacy, making 'Teddy Bear' a popular choice for hedging, screening, or as an elegant specimen tree.

In late spring through summer, 'Teddy Bear' produces large, creamy white flowers with a rich fragrance that perfumes the air and attracts bees and other pollinators. The blooms are a delightful highlight against the deep green foliage and bring a tropical, luxurious feel to the garden.

This magnolia is relatively low maintenance. It prefers a sunny to partly shaded position in rich, well-drained soil. Once established, it becomes reasonably drought-tolerant and can handle light frost. Pruning is not essential but can be done after flowering to maintain shape and encourage denser growth.

Growth and Maintenance:

• Watering: Water well during establishment. Once mature, water during extended dry periods

• Pruning: Light pruning after flowering if shaping is desired. Prune for symmetry and to remove any dead or crossing branches

• Fertilising: Apply an all-purpose fertiliser in spring to support lush growth and flowering

• Mulching: Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds

• Positioning: Best performance in full sun to part shade with well-drained soil

Common Uses:

• Small to medium feature tree

• Dense screening or privacy hedge

• Container growing in large pots

• Ornamental planting in courtyards or formal gardens

• Wildlife-friendly gardens

Planting Benefits:

• Elegant Foliage: Glossy, evergreen leaves with rich bronze undersides add year-round visual appeal

• Fragrant Flowers: Large, creamy white blooms provide fragrance and attract pollinators

• Space-Saving Form: Ideal for smaller gardens due to its compact, upright growth habit

• Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established

• Versatile: Suitable for screening, feature planting, or growing in large containers

Magnolia 'Teddy Bear' offers the classic beauty of magnolias in a space-friendly size, making it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a touch of elegance and evergreen structure in smaller landscapes.