{"product_id":"michelia-figo-lady-of-the-night","title":"Michelia figo 'Lady of the Night'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLady of the Night Port Wine Magnolia\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eMichelia figo\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e'Lady of the Night' (syn.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eMagnolia figo\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMagnoliaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eChina (cultivar selection)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEvergreen large shrub to small tree\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most intoxicatingly fragrant shrubs you can plant in an Adelaide garden, Michelia figo 'Lady of the Night' is a larger-flowered form of the beloved Port Wine Magnolia, prized above all else for its extraordinary scent. The cup-shaped cream flowers tinged with magenta pink are produced prolifically from spring through summer with a smaller autumn flush, and their fragrance intensifies dramatically in the late afternoon and evening — filling the garden with a rich, sweet scent variously described as port wine, banana, or Juicy Fruit chewing gum.\u003cbr\u003eA member of the Magnolia family, 'Lady of the Night' is a slow-growing but long-lived evergreen shrub with dense, glossy dark green foliage that makes it equally valuable as a fragrant hedge, screening plant, topiary specimen or feature shrub. Patient planting is rewarded with a magnificent, low-maintenance garden plant that thrives across Adelaide's climate in sheltered positions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e3.0–4.0 m H x 2.0–3.0 m W (dense, rounded bushy habit; can be maintained as a hedge from 1.0–3.0 m)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSlow to moderate; 20–30 cm per year; takes 5–7 years to reach 3 m; patience rewarded with a long-lived, beautiful specimen\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eLarge, oval, leathery glossy deep green leaves; dense, evergreen year-round; excellent structure and attractive backdrop foliage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eCup-shaped cream flowers tinged magenta at the base and petal margins; larger blooms than standard Michelia figo; produced prolifically in spring and summer with a smaller flush in autumn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFragrance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eExceptionally and strongly fragrant; rich sweet scent with notes of port wine, banana and bubblegum; fragrance intensifies significantly in late afternoon and evening; one of the most fragrant garden shrubs available\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDense glossy evergreen foliage year-round; fragrant spring and summer flowers with an autumn flush; flowers form on old wood so regular pruning does not significantly reduce flowering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFlowers attract bees and pollinators; dense foliage provides shelter and nesting habitat for small birds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFrost hardy once established (tolerates light frost; protect young plants); drought tolerant once established; heat tolerant with adequate moisture and afternoon shade in hottest positions; dislikes waterlogging and harsh cold winds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eTight hedge: 2–3 plants per metre (40–50 cm spacing); Standard hedge\/screen: 1–2 plants per metre (60–80 cm spacing); Specimen: 2.0–3.0 m apart; suitable for large containers (50 cm+)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eNo known toxicity to cats or dogs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFull sun to part shade; morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal in Adelaide's hotter inland positions; benefits from some protection from hot afternoon western sun in summer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHumus-rich, moist, well-drained soil; incorporate compost and well-rotted manure before planting; slightly acidic soil preferred (pH 6.0); mulch well to keep roots cool and retain moisture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEstablishment: deep soak 2–3 times\/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 7–10 days in summer; fortnightly in spring and autumn; monthly in winter; additional watering in summer produces denser growth and longer flowering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ePrune to shape after flowering to encourage new flowering growth; flowers form on old wood so pruning does not greatly reduce blooming; feed with a slow-release complete fertiliser in spring; mulch annually; low maintenance once established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eVery long-lived; decades with good soil, drainage and care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eWell suited to Adelaide's metropolitan, coastal and foothills positions; performs best in sheltered sites; suitable across SA where summer heat is managed with afternoon shade and adequate moisture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSlightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5–7.0); avoid strongly alkaline conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFragrance garden centrepiece planted near pathways, seating areas, windows or outdoor entertaining spaces where the extraordinary evening perfume can be fully appreciated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFormal or informal fragrant hedge and privacy screen that flowers even when clipped, providing year-round structure with a long-season perfumed display\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTopiary or standard form specimen for courtyard and formal garden designs where the dense, glossy habit clips beautifully into shape\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEspalier against a sheltered wall or fence to create a fragrant flat screen and maximise garden space in narrow areas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeature specimen in mixed shrub borders alongside Gardenias, Daphne and fragrant roses for a layered sensory garden that delivers perfume across multiple seasons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Lady of the Night' is the plant that turns heads every time someone walks past it in flower. The glossy, dense foliage earns its place year-round, but when the flowers open in spring and the fragrance drifts across the garden on a warm afternoon or evening, it is genuinely unforgettable. Slow to get going but extraordinary once established, this is a plant to invest in for the long term.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"5L Pot","offer_id":48949663006972,"sku":"MICH-FIGO-LADY-OF-THE-NIGH-5L","price":27.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/michelia-figo-lady-of-the-night-5L-flower-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1775691570","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/michelia-figo-lady-of-the-night","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}