They are best used as specimen or accent trees or large shrubs. Smaller growing cultivars can be incorporated into foundation plantings, shrub borders or grown in containers. Avoid exposed, windy locations because strong winds can damage the large flowers and typically brittle branches. Moist, but well drained soils are preferable. Although adaptable to clay, loam or sandy soils, they are intolerant of wet or poorly drained soils.
All magnolias are sensitive to excessively deep planting.
During installation, make certain that the top of the root ball is no deeper than the surrounding soil surface. No, in fact mid to late February is an ideal time. Do only pruning that is absolutely necessary. Avoid heavy cuts requiring a saw if possible. Such pruning is known as buck horning and results in dense sprouting from a point just below the cut.