That hole doesn't look five foot from both walls, and if it isn't your walls may suffer in the future.
It is a little off in retrospect. That squared off area should be ~3.1m². for there to be 5ft, the hole would be in the centre (and it isn't). I'll measure tomorrow to be sure. Moving the hole to allow more room is pretty trivial.
Black Tulip; I was under the impression the spread on this variety isn't too substantial (3m?). If folk think I'm making a mistake though/asking for trouble, then it's probably not too late for me to reconsider/change my plans.
What a beautiful coloured Magnolia! Reading up on it, it states 10ft /3m spread and 20ft/6m tall at the optimum. If that's the case then the hole needs to be 5 foot/1-2m from the fences just for the tree. Do you plan to prune it, if so you need another 2 foot/1m space to get behind it.
I actually looked at that one when I was considering a Magnolia for an area of my garden. If it's single stem variety you're getting, a good bit of the spread will end up above the fence line. It'll also take a good few years to get to any kind of substantial size. I think if you can move it forward a bit more it'll be fine - for a good length of time anyway.
Sorry @borgadr - I just saw your post re the compost. I just use anything. We mainly have neutral to very slightly acidic soil here, but adding a bit of ericaceous compost if you have alkaline soil will make no difference. You can't fundamentally change your soil pH in a border. If the soil isn't suitable for the plant you want, you have to use containers or construct a purpose built bed.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Going to move the hole at least central, based on the helpful advice here. I'm really fond of the tree so want to make it work if I can.
@purplerallim, re pruning, I don't know to be honest. Depends a little on the state of the specimen when I get it. Don't expect to do anything too substantial if I can avoid it.
Sometimes - you just have to experiment @mailug44Le4x I doubt if there's anyone here who hasn't made some mistakes with planting, due to inexperience or some other factor. The benefit of this forum is that people can get some great advice and help which hopefully mitigates some of those errors. You've done the right thing in asking for advice. I think if you can generally improve the soil, so that the planting hole is as good a medium as you can manage, and get the tree established that bit further in from the fence, you'll get many years of pleasure from it. If it doesn't work, you can address it later on. You can also add a load of spring bulbs round the base, and immediate area if you like them. That extends the season too, and it gives some ground cover and extra interest while the Magnolia grows and matures. Good time of year for getting those.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Just thought I'd pop back to bring this thread to conclusion now my tree has arrived.
I ended up moving the hole a little over 5' from both walls and planted with a topsoil/compost mix over a sprinkle of mychorrhizal. I went the double stake route.
I'll do something to make the gravel surrounding a bit more attractive at some point, however here she is...
Crossing my fingers for healthy growth and some blooms next Spring! 🤞
Good luck with it @pantplot - it looks a very nice, shapely specimen Don't expect too much in the way of flowers next year though - it takes months for newly planted trees to get established, and mature enough for flowering.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
Black Tulip; I was under the impression the spread on this variety isn't too substantial (3m?). If folk think I'm making a mistake though/asking for trouble, then it's probably not too late for me to reconsider/change my plans.
Thanks again.
If it's single stem variety you're getting, a good bit of the spread will end up above the fence line. It'll also take a good few years to get to any kind of substantial size. I think if you can move it forward a bit more it'll be fine - for a good length of time anyway.
Sorry @borgadr - I just saw your post re the compost. I just use anything. We mainly have neutral to very slightly acidic soil here, but adding a bit of ericaceous compost if you have alkaline soil will make no difference. You can't fundamentally change your soil pH in a border. If the soil isn't suitable for the plant you want, you have to use containers or construct a purpose built bed.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Going to move the hole at least central, based on the helpful advice here. I'm really fond of the tree so want to make it work if I can.
@purplerallim, re pruning, I don't know to be honest. Depends a little on the state of the specimen when I get it. Don't expect to do anything too substantial if I can avoid it.
I doubt if there's anyone here who hasn't made some mistakes with planting, due to inexperience or some other factor. The benefit of this forum is that people can get some great advice and help which hopefully mitigates some of those errors. You've done the right thing in asking for advice.
I think if you can generally improve the soil, so that the planting hole is as good a medium as you can manage, and get the tree established that bit further in from the fence, you'll get many years of pleasure from it. If it doesn't work, you can address it later on.
You can also add a load of spring bulbs round the base, and immediate area if you like them. That extends the season too, and it gives some ground cover and extra interest while the Magnolia grows and matures. Good time of year for getting those.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I ended up moving the hole a little over 5' from both walls and planted with a topsoil/compost mix over a sprinkle of mychorrhizal. I went the double stake route.
I'll do something to make the gravel surrounding a bit more attractive at some point, however here she is...
Crossing my fingers for healthy growth and some blooms next Spring! 🤞
Don't expect too much in the way of flowers next year though - it takes months for newly planted trees to get established, and mature enough for flowering.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...