Alphabetical Plant Listing

Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia)

Southern Magnolia, Evergreen Magnolia, Loblolly Magnolia, Great Laurel Magnolia, Big Laurel, Bull Bay


A commanding presence in the landscape, Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia) is a magnificent, dense evergreen tree with a straight trunk and a pyramidal to rounded crown. Huge, powerfully fragrant, creamy-white flowers, 8 in. across (20 cm), appear at the tips of thick, tough stems in late spring, throughout the summer and into fall. The cup-shaped blossoms open in the morning and close at night for 2-3 days. They are followed by cone-like seedpods that contain large rose-red seeds. When the pods open, the seeds often hang by silky threads. The evergreen foliage of large, smooth, leathery, oblong-elliptic leaves, 5-10 in. long (12-25 cm), is shiny dark green above and often tan to copper brown underneath. Native to the southeastern United States, Southern Magnolia is relatively fast-growing and pest free. Long-lived, its attractive evergreen leaves and creamy-white fragrant flowers make it a popular ornamental and shade tree around the world in warm temperate and subtropical regions. Its dried leaves are prized by florists in flower arrangements. Magnolia grandiflora provides shelter and food for many animals, including native birds (doves, woodpeckers, quails, wild turkeys) and small mammals.

  • Grows up to 60-80 ft. tall (18-24 m) and 30-50 ft. wide (9-15 m)
  • A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in organically rich, moist, preferably neutral to acid, well-drained soils. Tolerant of sandy to heavy clay soils when established. Does not withstand extreme drought or wetness or pollution.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant.
  • Low maintenance, this beautiful tree is not subject to serious insect or disease issues. Keep an eye out for horse chestnut scale, capsid bug, coral spot and honey fungus. Deer rarely bother Southern Magnolia.
  • No routine pruning necessary. Remove diseased, damaged, congested or crossing shoots. If pruning is desired, prune after blooming during the growing season because dormant magnolias do not easily heal.
  • Older leaves drop during late spring and summer. This can be a problem in well-manicured landscapes.
  • Propagate by seed in autumn, semi-ripe cuttings from late summer to early autumn or layering in early spring.
  • Native to the southeastern United States.

Magnolia Tree: How to Grow and Care with Success

Want to learn how to grow and care for a magnolia tree like a pro? Follow these simple steps and enjoy the beauty of this striking treeRead More

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Requirements

Hardiness 7 – 10
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Magnolia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 60' – 80' (18m – 24m)
Spread 30' – 50' (9m – 15m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Maryland, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Southwest, Texas
Attracts Birds
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow

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Denis Kabanov, Nick Pecker, Shutterstock, 阿橋 HQ, Forest and Kim Starr, Flickr

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.


Requirements

Hardiness 7 – 10
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Magnolia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 60' – 80' (18m – 24m)
Spread 30' – 50' (9m – 15m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Maryland, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Southwest, Texas
Attracts Birds
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow

Guides with Magnolia

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