Port wine Magnolia, Magnolia figo
No fragrant garden is complete without the popular Port wine Magnolia, Magnolia figo, and it’s sister Magnolia Coco.
Coco is more like another version of Magnolia figo (hybrid) .... not better just different.
Coco has extremely scented creamy flowers edged in burgundy. It flowers late winter into spring and spot flowers during summer. Magnolia figo has smaller flowers and are a deep purple wine colour. Both flowers form up the stems of the tree and are extremely prolific.
Both are highly scented but I find Coco's scent is a lot stronger than figo. Magnolia figo’s scent seems to waft through the air early evening and night where as Coco has a definite strong scent all day and evening. Beneficial insects also love the flowers, maybe even more than me!
Magnolia Coco
Both have glossy green leaves but I find Coco has a slightly looser habit and grows slightly wider and taller (around 3-4m). Magnolia figo can grow to about 2-3m and has a tighter denser foliage. I think Magnolia figo is more suited to hedging and Coco is suited to an amazing as a stand alone shrub.
They will grow in full sun to full shade but they are a lot slower in the shade. They like a slightly acidic soil and I find they perform better if they are regularly fertilised with Organic Link and tip pruned.
I have seen them growing in large pots but they need a lot more fertilising and care.
They are dry tolerant once established and don't mind the cold. If it gets really cold where you are they may be slower growing.
Note
Michelia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Magnolia family. Recently the michelia was dropped and replaced by magnolia.
Port wine magnolias botanical name is now Magnolia figo and Michelia coco is now called Magnolia Coco.