Michelia champaca "alba"

[M Farooq]

Botanical Name	Michelia champaca alba
Family	Magnoliaceae
Local Name in Urdu	Champak (common in India)
Common Name	Michelia
Life Cycle	Evergreen
Cultivar Name	"alba"
Fragrant or Not	Highly fragrant
Category(Bush/Vine/Tree)	Tree
Height	Can grow > 20 feet
Spacing	Solitary tree is green
Flowering Months	Summer
Flower Color	Cream white
Growing Areas	Tropical plant
Frost Tender	Yes
Exposure	Full sun
Soil pH	No specific issues
Propagation	Air layering
Uses	Ornamental, fragrances
Other Details	Michelia is relatively a rare plant in Pakistani gardens, whereas it is well known in India. It is a must-have tree for perfume gardens. The tree is a medium sized tree which bears very fragrant flowers. Keep in mind that fragrance is not a typical eastern fragrance of jasmine or raat-ki raani. It is indeed different. The leaves, flowers, and form of Michelia resemble Magnolia, but the blossoms of Michelia generally form clusters among the leaves, rather than singly at the branch ends as Magnolia does. Please see the entry for Magnolia grandiflora in the database. There are two types of Michelia, one bears cream flowers (shown in the pictures) and there is another better fragrant variety which has orange flowers. The cream white has lighter fragrance. This plant was available in Shalimar nurseries at Karachi. Please add nurseries for other parts of Pakistan . All images from http://www.natureloveyou.sg/