They don't much like cold winds, but do like sun.....so it's a bit of a risk...mine is doing OK, but we're milder than you here.

Thanks Spritzhenry, is it the same for all magnolias or is there one would tolerate the northeast climate better.I would really love one.

It might be an idea to see if anyone in your neighbourhood has one - or ask at your local Garden Centres...they should be able to advise you, I'd have thought. I'll look in my RHS book, though.

everyone is so helpful on here.....many thanks

You're welcome. I'll have a look later.....:-)))

Magnolia x soulangeana is a very old and not particularly special variety (or group of hybrids to be precise) that have been completely superseded by many more recent hybrids, but which are, unfortunately, still widely propagated and sold by garden centres, in particular.

The main problem that you might have in Tyne & Wear is from spring frosts, which will often destroy the flowers and buds leaving you with a disappointing brown mush. There are several early flowering, cold and frost tolerant Magnolias that might suit you better - many of the Magnolia x loebneri hybrids have been proven to be very tolerant of cold at the flowers and buds for instance.

Alternatively you could go for one of the many later flowering Magnolias. There are literately hundreds of named forms that don't flower until May or even later, and these escape the early cold and frost which is so damaging to the likes of the x soulangeanas. Any of the yellow flowering Magnolias would work well, as would all of the hybrids with M. acuminata (which range from yellow through cream to white plus many pinks). The early summer flowering Magnolias (M. wilsonii, seiboldii & sinensis) and their various hybrids would also do well for you and are incredibly beautiful.

Any individual Magnolia is a very long-term investment in your garden. They are ultimately very large and long-lived plants that continue to provide much joy every year, so it's well worth taking the time to find one (or more) that will definitely succeed in your area rather than be continually disappointed by damaged flowers.

There you are, Scabious! Advice from one who knows.....:-)))

I am in awe and will have to read Ilex's post several times to get my "head around magnolias"

Well. he 'is' an expert....

just so pleased and grateful that those well versed in horticulture etc,are so willing to help those,like myself, at the other end of the scale.

As for wind, I would definitely put it in the lee of something!

I agree - the colder winds not only scorch the blooms, but send the petals flying so you don't get to see the flowers for long.