White champaca (Magnolia × alba) is suitable for courtyard planting; pay attention to these points in everyday care

White champaca is an evergreen tree of the Magnoliaceae family and a typical woody plant. It has an upright form with dense branches and leaves, glossy green foliage, and pure white, jade-like flowers with a delicate, long-lasting fragrance. It can be planted in the ground as an ornamental courtyard tree, and is also often grown in pots; it is a very popular traditional fragrant flowering tree species.

White champaca's flowering period is mostly concentrated in summer, and in warmer regions the flowering period is longer; with proper care it may bloom again. Many people confuse it with yellow champaca (Michelia champaca); the two are indeed closely related species in the same genus, similar in appearance and fragrance, with the main difference being flower color: white champaca's flowers are more pure white, while yellow champaca's flowers tend toward pale yellow.

When caring for white champaca, note that it dislikes waterlogging. It likes a warm, humid, sunny environment, but its roots cannot tolerate standing water. Watering should follow the principle of watering when dry and letting it dry out between waterings; a loose, fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic soil is best. If watered too much or if the potting soil stays wet for a long time, root rot easily occurs. If you notice yellowing and dropping leaves, promptly remove the plant from its pot to check the roots, cut off the rotted parts and replace with fresh soil.

White champaca is very suitable for planting in courtyards. In warm southern regions it can be grown in the open ground, while in the north it is mostly grown in pots and moved indoors for warmth after winter arrives. Because its fragrance is fairly strong, if you want to place it in a bedroom, it is best to put it in a well-ventilated spot and open the windows at night for ventilation; people sensitive to fragrance can place the plant on a balcony or in the living room to avoid the strong scent affecting rest.