Magnolia grandiflora ‘Exmouth’ (Southern Magnolia)

Magnolia grandiflora ‘Exmouth’ (Southern Magnolia) is a magnificent, dense evergreen tree with a straight trunk and a pyramidal to rounded crown. Huge, heavily scented, creamy-white flowers, 10 in. across (25 cm), appear at the tips of thick, tough stems in mid-spring, throughout the summer and into fall. The bowl-shaped blossoms, packed with up to 20 tepals, open in the morning and close at night for 2-3 days. It can take 10 years to flower. 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, 10 in. long (25 cm), is shiny dark green above and brown-felted underneath. 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. Erect in habit, it is often planted against walls. Its dried leaves are prized by florists in flower arrangements. ‘Exmouth’ was developed in the early 18th century by John Colliton in Devon.

• Grows up to 30-40 ft. tall and wide (9-12 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.
• Magnolia grandiflora is native to the southeastern United States.