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 ancient 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. Magnolia species are native to many areas of the globe, including east and southeast Asia, North America, Central America, the West Indies, and South America.
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magnolia Species and Varietals
The genus Magnolia is considered a large one, containing between 210 and 340 species, and is the type genus member of the plant family Magnoliaceae. 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. This species is native to the southeastern United States, from Virginia to central Florida and west to eastern Texas. Popular varieties are listed below:
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. This species is native to the southeastern United States, from Virginia to central Florida and west to eastern Texas. 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 through late summer. Narrow form good for containers, espaliers, or for skinny spaces. Leaves dark green, rusty below. |
'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'
To 20 feet tall, though in old age can grow larger. Blooms profusely, and is a great choice for smaller gardens. Left unpruned, will form a large shrub. Great for containers and espaliers. |
'Victoria'
Reaches 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide, with good cold hardiness (down to -10 degrees Fahrenheit). Keep out of strong winds. Leaves are dark green, broad, and heavy. |
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. |
'San Jose'
Very early bloomer with large white flowers that are blushed with pink. |
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
Magnolia trees typically thrive in full sun conditions, so choose a spot in the landscape for the tree that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun each day. They can tolerate some partial shade, especially when young, but will flower more profusely in full sun. Ensure that trees have enough space to grow, as these are typically quite large landscape trees (or shrubs). Their roots can be somewhat invasive, depending on the variety and how closely it is planted to structures or areas with poured concrete. Trees should be planted between 20 and 50 feet away from homes. They prefer to have well-draining soils that are acidic to neutral, with a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0. If local soils are clayey or overly compacted, make sure to amend them with plenty of sand and/or organic material before installing. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of trees and shrubs, ensuring that it stays a few inches away from the trunk of the tree. This will help to suppress weed growth, increase soil moisture retention, and help to regulate soil temperatures.
Fertilize trees in early spring by applying a generous amount of organic compost around their base. This should be enough to support the growth and flowering seasons. If trees seem to be struggling or are not flowering well, they may benefit from a feeding with a high-nitrogen, low-phosphorus fertilizer (such as a 16-5-11). Take care to not over-fertilize, however, as it will damage the tree. Prune Magnolia trees after they finish flowering, which is usually in late spring to early summertime. This will ensure that next season's buds are not removed. At the same time, remove any dead, damaged, diseased, or crossing branches and open up the canopy a bit to increase airflow. Avoid cutting trees back too much; they naturally have a beautiful shape, and do not really need much pruning.
Fertilize trees in early spring by applying a generous amount of organic compost around their base. This should be enough to support the growth and flowering seasons. If trees seem to be struggling or are not flowering well, they may benefit from a feeding with a high-nitrogen, low-phosphorus fertilizer (such as a 16-5-11). Take care to not over-fertilize, however, as it will damage the tree. Prune Magnolia trees after they finish flowering, which is usually in late spring to early summertime. This will ensure that next season's buds are not removed. At the same time, remove any dead, damaged, diseased, or crossing branches and open up the canopy a bit to increase airflow. Avoid cutting trees back too much; they naturally have a beautiful shape, and do not really need much pruning.
Propagation
Magnolia trees and shrubs can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Magnolia tree or shrub, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Magnolia by Cutting
Propagating Magnolia by Seed
Propagating Magnolia by Cutting
- Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
- In early summertime (for deciduous varieties) or late summer to fall (for evergreen varieties), choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this tree or shrub has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6-8 inch softwood portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
- Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
- Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.
Propagating Magnolia by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
- Harvest your seeds. The fruits of magnolia trees are easy to spot; they'ere
- Caesalpinia seeds have a hard coating that protects them, but this coating also makes it a little difficult to get them to germinate. We can help the process along by scarifying them with sandpaper (or simply rubbing them against an abrasive surface). Do this with as many seeds as you can; they will probably not all sow, and the ones that do will be of varying characteristics. The more seeds you plant, the more chances you will have to get the resulting shrub you want. Place your seeds in lukewarm water for six hours. Viable seeds will sink to the bottom, and non-viable seeds will float to the top. You can discard any seeds that float.
- Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Problems and Pests
Magnolia trees can be affected by a number of pests and diseases, including:
- Magnolia Scale
- Leaf Spot
- Powdery Mildew
- Bacterial Blight
- Leaf Scorch
- Canker
- Verticillium Wilt
Gallery
Videos
Learn about Magnolias.
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Magnolia varieties for cool climates.
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Learn about the Saucer Magnolia.
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Caring for Magnolia trees in the landscape.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 427 - 430, Magnolia
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