Magnolia
( mag - NOE - lee - uh )
At-A-Glance InformationMagnolia trees are some of the most recognizable out there; from their large glossy leaves to their beautiful flowers. These trees need full sun to partial shade, and regular water for best performance and bloom. Blooms vary in color from white and pink to reds and purples, there's even a species with yellow flowers. Habit, size, and ease of growth.
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magnolia Species and Varietals
The best growing zones for Magnolia vary depending on the species. For more information, see the species descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map. The list below is divided into Evergreen and Deciduous species.
Evergreen Magnolias
Magnolia champaca (Michelia champaca) (Champaca) This species can be grown as a shrub or tree, and is best in zones 16-24, H1 and H2. It reaches 10-20 feet tall and about as wide. Leaves are glossy and bright green, and flowers are orange-yellow, blooming sporadically throughout the year (most profusely in winter and summer). Bloom fragrance is wonderful. Variety 'Alba' has white flowers. |
Magnolia doltsopa (Michelia doltsopa) This Himalayan native Magnolia grows well in zones 14-24, H1 and H2 and reaches up to 90 feet tall. In California, they top out more around 25 feet. Its habit ranges from shrubby to narrow and upright. They can be pruned to form a certain shape. Leaves are leathery and dark green, and flowers are creamy to white with a green tint. Blooms pop in winter and spring. Variety 'Silver Cloud' has profuse creamy-white blooms in springtime. |
Magnolia figo (Michelia figo) (Banana Shrub) This species grows well in zones 9, 14-24, H1 and H2 and is slow-growing to around 6-8 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide. Leaves are glossy and leathery, and flowers are creamy yellow with a thin dark border (in a purple-brown color). Flowers are powerfully fragrant and bloom most heavily in spring with sporadic blooms appearing through summertime. This species gets is common name, Banana Shrub, from the fact that the flowers smell of fruit (namely, of bananas). This is a great selection for entryways and patios. Variety 'Port Wine' has rosey-maroon flowers. |
Magnolia x foggii (Michelia x foggi) This shrub grows well in zones 9 and 14-24, and represents a group of hybrids between Magnolia figo and Magnolia doltsopa. Commonly grown varieties include 'Allspice' (15-18 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide, with glossy dark green leaves and light yellow, maroon-bordered flowers that smell fruity), and 'Jack Fogg' (Pictured; to 18 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide, with white (bordered with purple-pink) fragrant spring flowers. |
Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia, Bull Bay)
This species grows best in zones 4-12, 14-24, H1 and H2. Flowers are pure white and age to a buff color, are large and fragrant, and bloom through summer and fall. These trees are great lawn or street trees, and are also great grown in containers and espaliered. Reaches 80 feet tall and 60 feet wide, and can be grown as a single or multi-trunked tree. Leaves are glossy and leathery. This species attracts birds. Popular varieties are listed below:
'Bracken's Brown Beauty'
To 35 feet tall and 15 feet wide, with a pyramid shape, a hardy variety with smaller flowers and leaves than the species. |
'D. D. Blanchard'
To 50 feet tall and 25-35 feet wide. Glossy dark green leaves that are brown-orange on undersides. |
'Edith Bogue'
Vigorous grower to 35 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Hardy variety with a handsome shape; has withstood -24 degree Fahrenheit temperatures, but needs to be kept out of strong winds. |
'Little Gem'
Slow-grower to 20-25 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide, with small flowers that bloom spring through late summer. It has a narrow form, making it a good choice for containers, espaliers, or for skinny spaces. Leaves are dark green on top, rusty below. Not as hardy as the species. |
'Majestic Beauty'
Best in zones 7-12, 14-24, H1 and H2. This variety has very large flowers and makes a great street or shade tree. They can reach 35-50 feet tall and 20 feet wide and have a pyramid shape to them. |
'St. Mary'
Reaches 20 feet tall typically, though in old age can grow much larger. Blooms profusely, and is a great choice for smaller garden spaces. Left unpruned, will turn into a large shrub, but can be trained into a small tree. Great for containers and espalier subjects. |
Magnolia 'Timeless Beauty' This hybrid is a cross between Magnolia grandiflora and Magnolia virginiana, and grows well in zones 4-9 and 14-24. Flowers are creamy white and fragrant, blooming in spring and summertime. These trees reach 15-20 feet tall and 20-25 feet wide, with a dense crown and spreading branches. |
Magnolia virginiana (Sweet Bay) This species grows best in zones 4-9 and 14-24, and can reach 50 feet tall and 20 feet wide. It takes the form of a large evergreen to semi-evergreen tree in mild climates and is more shrubby in cooler areas. Flowers are creamy white and fragrant and leaves are bright green with white undersides. Twigs and branches are also bright green. Needs moist, acidic soil to perform well. Popular variety 'Moonglow', also called 'Jim Wilson', was bred for increased hardiness over the species, and reaches 35-40 feet tall and 15-18 feet wide. This variety has glossy dark green leaves, grows quickly and blooms young. |
Deciduous Magnolias
Magnolia acuminata (Cucumber Tree) This species grows well in zones 2-9 and 14-21, and reaches 60-80 feet tall and 30 feet wide. Flowers are green-yellow and inconspicuous, appearing after leafout in late spring or summer. Reddish seed capsules with red seeds appear after blooms fade. Great as a shade or lawn tree; this species dislikes warm, drying winds. Varieties include 'Koban Dori' (15-20 feet tall with yellow flowers) and Magnolia acuminata subcordata (shrubbier, to 25-35 feet tall and 20-30 feet wide, with larger, showier flowers). |
Magnolia kobus (Kobus Magnolia) This species does well in zones 2b-9 and 14-24 and reaches 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide. This is a cold-hardy species, and can be planted either singly or in groupings. Before leaves emerge in the beginning to middle of spring, buds pop open, revealing white, slightly fragrant blossoms. |
Magnolia Kosar-De Vos Hybrids ('Little Girl' Series) Zones 2b-9 and 14-24. This group of hybrids are bred to bloom later (though still before leafout), avoiding frost damage in cooler weather areas. Flowers range in color from deep to pale purple. These plants have shrubby habits, and are great in shrub borders or as single specimens in lawns. Varieties in this group all have girls' names, for example 'Betty' (with rose pink flowers), and 'Susan' (with purple-red blossoms). |
Magnolia liliiflora (Magnolia quinquepeta) (Lily Magnolia) This species has tulip-shaped flowers that are white on the inside and purplish outside that bloom over a long season in spring and summertime. Reaches 12 feet tall and 15 feet wide, and is great for shrub borders. Slowly spreads via suckers. Varieties include 'Gracilis', 'Nigra' and 'O'Neill', all of which have dark purple-red flowers on the exterior, and pink on the interior. |
Magnolia x loebneri This group of hybrids are crosses between Magnolia kobus and Magnolia stellata which grow best in zones 2b-9 and 14-24. They slowly reach 12-15 feet tall and wide, though they can eventually reach 50 feet tall. Flowers appear before leafout in various colors, depending on the variety grown. These hybrids are great when used in lawns, shrub borders, or at woodland edges. Varieties include 'Ballerina' (white with a faint pink flush), 'Spring Snow' (pure white), 'Leonard Messel' (pink), 'Merrill' (also called 'Dr. Merrill', with white blooms). |
Magnolia macrophylla (Bigleaf Magnolia) Best in zones 4-9 and 14-21, this species has white flowers that bloom after leafout in late spring and early summer. This is a showy tree that slowly reaches 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide. This tree needs some space, and does well planted singly in lawns. Needs some shade in warmer climates. |
Magnolia 'Pegasus' Best in zones 4-9 and 14-17, this species reaches 10 feet tall and just as wide in about 10 years. With greater age, it can reach twice that size. Flowers are white, tinted pink at the base, and appear before leaves. Blooms are followed by bright red seed capsules. Better when grown in light or filtered shade. |
Magnolia sargentiana robusta Best in zones 5-9 and 14-24; a very showy tree. Flowers are huge, mauve-pink, and bloom mid- to late-spring before leafout. This species reaches 35 feet tall and wide and needs ample room to grow to its full size potential. Variety 'Blood Moon' is more upright, reaching 45 feet tall. |
Magnolia sieboldii (Oyama Magnolia) Best in zones 4-9 and 14-24, this Magnolia is a good choice for small gardens (tops out around 6-15 feet tall and just as wide). Flowers are white and have crimson stamens, blooming in late spring through late summer. They are followed by bright pink seedpods. Plant this species on a hill, where its branching pattern and flowers can be admired from below. Performs best in partial shade. |
Magnolia x soulangeana (Saucer Magnolia, Tulip Tree)
This species is best in zones 2b-10 and 12-24 and reaches 25 feet tall and wide. Flowers emerge in late winter, last until spring and are white to pinkish-purple-red, and fragrant. This tree is great as a lawn plant, or a good anchor plant in large container plantings. Leaves are green and coarse-looking. Commonly grown varieties are listed below:
This species is best in zones 2b-10 and 12-24 and reaches 25 feet tall and wide. Flowers emerge in late winter, last until spring and are white to pinkish-purple-red, and fragrant. This tree is great as a lawn plant, or a good anchor plant in large container plantings. Leaves are green and coarse-looking. Commonly grown varieties are listed below:
'Alba Superba' ('Alba')
Flowers are white, and bloom early in the season. Upright habit. |
'Black Tulip'
Flowers are deep red, tree reaches 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Great for small gardens or skinny spaces. Can be a container plant when young and pruned as a hedge if desired. |
'Brozzonii'
White flowers flushed purple at the base bloom late in the season. Vigorous grower. |
'Lennei'
Very large flowers that are purple outside, white inside. Spreading, vigorous plant. Similar variety 'Lennei Alba' blooms earlier and has pure white blooms. |
'Lilliputian'
Compact, to 18 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide, with pink flowers that are white on the interior. Late bloomer. |
'Rustica Rubra'
Large, deep red-purple flowers that bloom in midseason. Dark rose seedpods follow blooms. Vigorous grower for large spaces; more treelike than the other varieties of the species. |
Magnolia stellata (Star Magnolia) This species grows well in zones 2b-9 and 14-24. Flowers are white and bloom profusely in late winter and early springtime. Some varieties have fragrant blooms, others do not. Shrubby habit; reaches 10 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Great for borders, entryways, shrub gardens, and woodland edges. Fall leaf color is yellow-brown. |
Magnolia x veitchii (Veitch Magnolia) This hybrid species is best in zones 4-9 and 14-24 and blooms profusely in mid-spring. Flowers are white flushed with pink. Quickly reaches 30-40 feet tall and 30 feet wide, and needs plenty of growing space. Protect from strong winds; branches are brittle. Variety 'Columbus' has white flowers with purple bases, and reaches 30-35 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide. This variety has a thick trunk and strong branches, making it a great choice for urban settings. |
Caring for and pruning magnolia Trees
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 427 - 430, Magnolia
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