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Pretty Magnolia trees and Shrubs for Small Gardens

Winter Blooming Magnolias, Spring Blooming Magnolias

Small Magnolia, Tree for Small Gardens, Yellow Magnolias, Winter Blooming Magnolias, Spring Blooming Magnolias, Pink Magnolias, White Magnolias, Purple Magnolias, Red Magnolias

Prized worldwide for the beauty of their exquisite flowers and majestic forms, Magnolias are beloved harbingers of spring, with their parade of showy, fragrant blooms, often on display before they leaf out.

While some Magnolias can be large shrubs or trees that could swallow up the average garden, there are quite a few Magnolia cultivars of smaller stature that would fit small yards.

Here is a list of Magnolias which are more modestly sized and bloom at an early age. Most of them are easy to grow and require little maintenance. Plant one of these hardy flowering trees and bask year after year in its glory!

Guide Information

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Genus Magnolia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Winter
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Landscaping Ideas Small Gardens

Pretty Magnolias for Small Gardens

Magnolia ‘Ann’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’
Magnolia ‘Genie’
Magnolia ‘Pinkie’
Magnolia ‘Sunsation’
Magnolia ‘Susan’
Magnolia ‘Vulcan’
Magnolia × loebneri ‘Encore’
Magnolia × loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’
Magnolia × soulangeana ‘Lennei’ (Saucer Magnolia)
Magnolia × soulangeana ‘Lilliputian’ (Saucer Magnolia)
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ (Southern Magnolia)
Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’
Magnolia sieboldii (Oyama Magnolia)
Magnolia stellata ‘Centennial’ (Star Magnolia)
Magnolia stellata ‘Jane Platt’ (Star Magnolia)
Magnolia stellata ‘Royal Star’ (Star Magnolia)

Growing Magnolia

  • Selecting the Right Spot: Choose a location with full sun to partial shade. While magnolias can handle some shade, too much can impact flowering. Provide a site sheltered from cold, dry winds, as cold winds may damage buds and flowers. Late frosts may damage flower buds too.
  • Soil: Magnolias prefer organically rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. They are quite adaptable, though, and can tolerate various soil types.
  • Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Place the tree in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill with soil, press down firmly, and water well.
  • Watering: Young magnolias need consistent moisture, so water regularly in the first few years. Mature trees generally do not need to be watered unless there is a drought.
  • Fertilizer: Apply a slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring to provide essential nutrients for the growing season.

Remember, patience is key when growing magnolias, as they can take a few years to start flowering, but the wait is certainly worthwhile.

You may want to review these useful guides

Favorite Yellow Magnolia Trees for Your Garden
Anise Magnolia (Magnolia salicifolia)
Loebner Magnolia (Magnolia x loebneri)
Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana)
Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)
Yulan Magnolia (Magnolia denudata)
Compare All Magnolia
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Guides with
Magnolia
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Genus Magnolia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Winter
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Landscaping Ideas Small Gardens
Compare All Magnolia
Compare Now
Guides with
Magnolia

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