Magnolia kobus

Magnolia kobus, commonly known as Kobushi magnolia, was first brought to England by famous explorer Charles Maries in 1879. He explored the Japanese woodlands whilst employed by the world famous Veitchs nursery in Chelsea and Exeter.

During spring, before the emergence of its dark emerald green leaves, the Magnolia kobus steals the spotlight with its exquisite display of blossoms. The large white flowers have a delicate pink tinge and a subtle tropical fragrance of exotic fruit and lemons. The flowers are completely open and cover the canopy like clusters of blossoms. As with all good things, a kobus will take its time and wait around 15 years before it matures enough to fully display its flowers. It’s certainly worth the wait though. Here at Hillier we have a range of ages growing, so if you prefer to have a semi-mature kobus busting to exhibit its flowers to you now, we are happy to provide this.

As the season progresses, Magnolia kobus produces dark emerald green foliage that have a point at the tip. These are smooth looking with fluid edges and in autumn, they turn a yellow and buttery popcorn colour. After the flowers, it fruits thick, unusual seedpod carpals of small red seeds grouped together, similar to pomegranates.

Its summer foliage is a dark emerald green, which in autumn bronze to a buttery yellow. After the flowers it fruits thick unusual seedpod carpals of small red seeds grouped together, similar to pomegranates.