Magnolia

To watch magnolia blooms suddenly unfurl on bare branches is one of early spring's most enchanting moments. The sweetly scented flowers are large and either cupped or a cluster of star-shaped petals. Deciduous saucer and star magnolias bloom first and make excellent border companions for early-flowering perennials and bulbs. If frosts occur late in your region, select a later-blooming variety and mulch around the tree so the flower show won't be ruined by surprise cold spells. Southern magnolia grows into a magnificent lofty tree. Its large, dark-green leathery leaves are sueded with rusty fuzz on the undersides. Huge, bowl-shaped flowers appear in midsummer and are intensely fragrant. Both seed pods and leaves furnish interesting botanical shapes for dried wreaths and other decorations. Magnolias prefer a moist, well-drained slightly acidic to neutral soil, although Southern magnolia can tolerate dry, alkaline soil.

Light:

Sun

Zones:

5-9

Plant Type:

Tree

Plant Height:

30-80 feet tall

Plant Width:

To 50 feet wide

Landscape Uses:

Containers, Beds & Borders, Slopes

Special Features:

Flowers, Attractive Foliage, Fragrant, Winter Interest, Dried Flowers

Top Varieties

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Alexandrina saucer magnolia

(Magnolia soulangeana 'Alexandrina') is an early blooming selection with large, white-centered rosy flowers. It grows 20 feet tall and wide. Zones 5-9
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Dr. Merrill magnolia

(Magnolia loebneri 'Dr. Merrill') is a fast-growing tree to 30 feet and produces white spring flowers at an early age. Zones 5-9
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Little Gem magnolia

(Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem') is a compact Southern magnolia bearing small white flowers. The tree grows only 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Zones 7-9
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Niemetzi saucer magnolia

(Magnolia soulangeana 'Niemetzi') has a distinct upright form and grows 20 feet tall but only 10 feet wide. Zones 5-9
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Oyama magnolia

(Magnolia sieboldii) forms a spreading tree that bears large, cup-shaped white blooms from late spring until late summer. It grows 25 feet tall and 40 feet wide. Zones 6-9
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Saucer magnolia

(Magnolia soulangeana) produces large, bowl-shaped flowers in shades of pink on bare branches in early spring. It grows 20 feet tall and wide. Zones 5-9
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Southern magnolia

(Magnolia grandiflora) is among the most majestic. This evergreen bears huge, white fragrant flowers. Native to North America, it grows 60 feet tall and 40 feet wide. Zones 7-9
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