I am planting 4 - 15' Magnolia Grandifloras in my garden. I would like to know what, if anything will grow under these trees. I live on the westside of Vancouver, B.C. Any help would be appreciated.
When they are small probably just about anything, when they get big enough later they will cast a "tar pit" of shade. And from the start they will drop litter all summer, so you will probably want to plant fairly tall selections that will trap and conceal the litter, rather than small fussy plantings that you will want to pick magnolia droppings from every week.
Nothing when they grow up. The leaf drop and seedhead drop will require a cleanup several times a year. But, they are beautiful. We have several varieties and notice that 'Little Gem' is reasonably "clean" compared to the others.
That cultivar in particular is apt to mildew badly and defoliate heavily out here, very many are planted and not all do but a high percentage look like there has been a hurricane.
