Bigleaf Magnolia, Large-Leaved Cucumber Tree, Umbrella Tree
Noted for its unique enormous leaves, Magnolia macrophylla (Bigleaf Magnolia) is a magnificent, deciduous tree with a single trunk and a broad, rounded crown. In late spring to early summer, large, fragrant, creamy-white flowers, 8-10 in. across (20-25 cm), adorned with rose-purple at their petal bases, open after the leaves on mature trees (at least 12 years old). The blossoms are followed by egg-shaped fruits, which mature to red in late summer and open to reveal red-coated seeds suspended on slender threads. Many bird species and small mammals eat the red fleshy seeds. The foliage of huge oblong-obovate leaves, up to 36 in. long (90 cm) and 12 in. wide (30 cm), is green above and silvery-gray underneath. The bark is thin and gray. Bigleaf Magnolia makes a superb shade tree or specimen tree for a large landscape where it can be protected from high winds.
| Hardiness |
6 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
6 - 9 |
| Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 |
| Plant Type | Trees |
| Plant Family | Magnoliaceae |
| Genus | Magnolia |
| Common names | Umbrella Tree, Magnolia, Bigleaf Magnolia |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
| Height |
30' - 40' (9.1m - 12.2m) |
| Spread |
30' - 40' (9.1m - 12.2m) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries |
| Native Plants | United States, Northeast, Maryland, Midwest, Ohio, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky |
| Attracts | Birds |
| Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow |
| Hardiness |
6 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
6 - 9 |
| Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 |
| Plant Type | Trees |
| Plant Family | Magnoliaceae |
| Genus | Magnolia |
| Common names | Umbrella Tree, Magnolia, Bigleaf Magnolia |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
| Height |
30' - 40' (9.1m - 12.2m) |
| Spread |
30' - 40' (9.1m - 12.2m) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries |
| Native Plants | United States, Northeast, Maryland, Midwest, Ohio, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky |
| Attracts | Birds |
| Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow |
How many Magnolia macrophylla (Bigleaf Magnolia) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Magnolia macrophylla (Bigleaf Magnolia) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
