A Grand Tree Aristocrat - Southern Magnolia

Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is native to the Southern U.S. (USDA hardiness zone 6-9). The species grows upward of 60 - 80 feet tall with a pyramidal habit when young and developing a rounded canopy at maturity. These evergreen magnolias are cherished for their attractive glossy dark green foliage and showy fragrant flowers. Large 5 to 6 inch pure white goblet shaped flowers appear sporadically from mid-spring thru late-summer. Ornate cone-like seed pods form after flowers have shed their creamy white tepals (petals). 

Young trees may not bloom for 3-5 years after planting. Its shallow roots may eventually lift sidewalk pavement as the tree ages. Southern magnolias grow 30 to 50 feet high, and some varieties need lots of room. This tree is happily suited to large commercial and residential properties, golf courses and public parks.

Four large cultivars are ideally suited for planting on wide boulevards, medians, parkways, urban parks, industrial sites and golf courses. Undersides of leaves are either green or rusty brown as noted.

• ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’ (50 feet x 25 feet) - rusty brown back leaf
• ‘Edith Bogue’ (40- 50 feet x 25 feet) – green back
• ‘Claudia Wannamaker’ (50 feet x 30 feet) – green back
• ‘DD Blanchard’ (50 feet x 30 feet) – brown back

Smaller growing cultivars are also available at garden centers:

• ‘Little Gem’ and ‘Hasse™  (35-40 feet in height)
• Teddy Bear® and ‘Kay Parris’ (25-30 feet in height)

Little Gem grows very shrub-like and may encompass 20 or more feet of ground area. Hasse exhibits a tree-like habit and branching is primarily upright. Teddy Bear and Kay Parris grow slowly and are better choices for small landscapes.

Leaves and flowers are proportionally smaller that the species. The glossy foliage is thick and leathery, and dark green over both the upper and lower surfaces. Kay Parris foliage is reddish brown on the underside.

Trees shed older leaves in spring as new ones emerge. Occasionally, its evergreen boughs are weighted down and snap off under heavy snow and ice loads.

The Bigleaf Magnolias For Tropical Accent

Bigleaf magnolia at Biltmore Estates

Bigleaf magnolias represent four species: (Magnolia macrophylla), umbrella magnolia (M. tripetala), Fraser magnolia (M. fraseri), and Ashe magnolia (M. ashei). All are medium-size trees with huge leaves and large flowers that appear after the leaves unfurl. Bigleaf magnolia is native to the southeastern United States as far north to Ohio (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). A mature tree attains heights of 30 to 40 feet and develops an irregular pyramidal form. In the northern areas the tree is deciduous and semi-evergreen in the southeastern U.S.

A tree may take 10 or more years before first blooms develop. Goblet-shaped flowers are creamy white, are rose-purple at the petal base, and over 12 inches across. They open in early summer, mostly high inside the tree and mostly hidden within the dense foliage. Up close, flowers are pleasantly fragrant. Fruit is round to cone-shaped, rose-colored, and nearly 3 inches long; they're unique, persistent, and attract numerous bird species. When cones open, each red coated seed is held by a thin silk-like thread.

Leaves are alternate, simple, 12 to 36 inches long, and 7 to 12 inches wide. They’re bright green on the upper surface and silvery gray beneath. Petioles are 2 to 4 inches long. Their yellow fall color rarely stands out. Leaves are intolerant of most urban pollutants.

Their enormous size foliage make them true horticultural oddities. Fall foliage drops, creates lots of leaf litter and decomposes slowly. The leaf debris may cover over or smother some types of ground covers. Weak branches and huge leaves should be sheltered from wind and ice storms.