Magnolia 2yrs old never flowered v Kalmia 22yrs old flowers

I have this 4 ft Magnolia in a tub on the patio by the back door. Morning sun sheltered after mid day great spot for azeleas,pieris, tulips,apple tree,primulas, daffs, budlea plants in my chimney pots & sick bay & plants in waiting but not it would seem fore the magnolia. Leaves are just out a nice crisp green. Magnolia Slender plant 4ft high. Anyway I moved it to the front of the house ready for a sheltered sunnier spot. . There is another plant that just might like centre spot in the front....I have a Kalmia 22 yrs old, I put it near a Rhododendron. There is no gap now & the poor Kalmia is swamped...Its 3ft high 2 ft wide...lovely leaves & pink flowers......You only see it if you know its there......OK to move? could have them together perhaps?

Magnolias from seeds take longer than 2 years to mature to flowering age.
I would suspect in the UK that full sun is best for Magnolia, Budleja, Apple, Daffs and Tulips.
Here, it depends on the type of Mag. Star Magnolias (M. stellata) are better out of full sun, for example.

Kalmia ought to do well in that part shade, but if it is so hidden you cannot see and enjoy it, I think I would bring it out in front of the taller plants.

The Kalmia need to be brought out into more LIGHT, not necessary brilliant sun light BUT better light, remember the larger plants will dominate for light and make more growth while the poor smaller Kalmia struggles to reach light and as Dianna has said, why have a plant you cant real see or enjoy.

As regards the Magnolia, these plants don't enjoy lots of morning sun, they like dappled shade, Morning sun means IF they get frost on them and here in UK we do get night frost, (NOT FROZEN) when the sun shines on the foliage or flowers when they do bud and flower, the defrosting burns the foliage and buds. flowers turn brown and drop there beautiful petals.

All the other plants as well as the Magnolia require a more acidic soil so make sure the small Magnolia has that, I didn't pick up where the Magnolia came from seed BUT here there are places who sell these plants in little pots inside a clear package that have came from rooted cuttings costing a few Dollars / UK Pounds, however these always take many more years to become flowering plants even with the right conditions, as Dianna said, it all depends on the type of magnolia, some wont be mature enough until they are about 10 years old, maybe buying them after they are 5 years old and set out in garden BUT these cost a lot of money, so as far as Rhododendrons, Azalea's and Magnolias go, you get what you pay for and believe me I grow several different types and learned a long time ago that for plants that take a long time to give off their show, you either have to wait a long, long time OR pay for the growers who have cared, nurtured and molly coddled the plants for us.

The plant you have that is growing tall maybe needs the growing tip nipped off to allow it to sprout new side shoots or it will be difficult here in UK to grow a single stemmed Magnolia as it will need special support all it's life and maybe once our gale-force winds break the top off it, then you could be left with just a stump.

Do you remember the type or name of the Magnolia this plant came from if it was a seed or even a cutting, that would help more too.

Good luck, Best regards WeeNel.

Good point about the Magnolia and colder nights. I do not have that problem here. Too much hot afternoon sun for some types, but pretty good conditions for those can be arranged in part shade.

The OP does not say the Mag is from seed, just my comment that 2 years is too soon to be expecting flowers from some types (and especially if it was grown from seed).

Yes, what species of magnolia is it?

Magnolia was bought from a chain store....I forgot the tag description. The leaves are healthy enough. I moved it to the front. A conifer hedge shelters from morning sun it will be planted in a central plot.....just took out tons of self seeding fox gloves.......
The Kalmia was moved to a forest clearing area.....I nipped the tap root a bit.....new growth looks ok needs a lot of water......
Our soil is acidic. Blue bells & ferns abound.
Cheers

Ha, Ha, Ha, your just describing the same type of soil I have here on the West Coast of Scotland, always Known for it's Rhododendrons and other Acidic plants in need of that.
My Blue Bell wood here is just at it's best right now, think the amount of rain we have had last year and over winter has gave a lot of the Large flowering shrubs a boost as even the flowering Cherries are dripping with blooms, but hey, the wind off the sea will soon have that on the ground like wedding petals on the lawn.

Your Magnolia could take several years to produce flowers but don't give up, My Stelatta took around 7 years before it bloomed but when it did, honestly, it was stunning, the flowers arrived before the leaf and that helps show off the blooms.

Best of luck. WeeNel.

My stellata flowered the yr I got it ..but only for 2 weeks or so

That's about the right length of time for flowering, there after it's the foliage that shows up as a nice fresh green colour, at that time I always dead head the spent flowers as I don't want the plant to waste energy making seeds, rather it go into nice new growth. give a feed for acidic plants, fresh mulch if needed and plenty water IF the plant requires that, Here in my garden, I've had my fare share of rain thank you very much but other years come June, the beds / borders with the Rhodo's, Camellia's and other acidic plants have been dried out, cant win EH, LOL.
Hope all goes well and you have a great garden season without too many other problems.
Best Regards. WeeNel.

Give plants a watering with an umbrella in one hand.....woohoo