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-shape 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-shape 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 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 rosy flowers with white centers. It grows 20 feet tall and wide. Zones 5-9
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Cucumber tree

Magnolia acuminata is a North American native tree that offers tropical-looking, 10-inch-long leaves and greenish-yellow flowers in early summer. It grows 70 feet tall and 30 feet wide. Zones 4-8
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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 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. It grows 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Zones 5-9
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Oyama magnolia

Magnolia sieboldii is a spreading tree that bears large, cup-shape 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-shape 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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Propagation

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Leaf Cuttings