Sweetbay Magnolia
Magnolia virginianaÂ
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5b-10b   Find Your Zone
Plant Type:Â Evergreen Flowering Large Shrub or Tree
Height at Maturity:Â 15-20′ in North, 35-60 feet or more in the deep South
Width at Maturity:Â 10-15′ in North, 20-35′ feet in deep South
Spacing:Â 6-8′ in North and 10-15′ in South for privacy screens; Â 20′ in North or 40 feet in South for space between treesÂ
Growth Habit / Form:Â UprightÂ
Flower Color: Â Creamy White
Flower Size:Â 3″ diameter
Flowering Period:Â Mid Spring, Early Summer
Flower Type:Â Single, Cup-shaped
Fragrant Flowers:Â Yes – Sweet lemony fragrance!
Foliage Color:Â Dark Green, Silvery undersides
Fragrant Foliage:Â No
Sun Needs:Â Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun, Morning Shade with Evening Sun
Water Needs:Â Â Average, Low when established
Soil Type:Â Â Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), SiltÂ
Soil Moisture / Drainage:Â Well Drained Moist
Soil pH:Â 5.5 – 7 (Acid to Neutral)
Maintenance / Care:Â Low
Attracts:Â Visual Attention, Birds
Resistances:Â Deer, Disease, Drought, Heat, Humidity, Insect
Description
The Sweetbay Magnolia is a magnificent North American native evergreen tree that produces sweetly fragrant cup-shaped flowers with white petals from mid-spring to early summer and then sporadically throughout summer. Small, cone-like fruits with showy bright red seeds are displayed in fall. Elongated, large and glossy green leaves with silvery undersides provide a lush, tropical effect in the landscape. Sweet Bay Magnolia has the ability to maintain a straight central trunk, which allows it to be grown full to the ground or lower branches can be removed to form a very attractive tree with a visible trunk. Will tolerate somewhat boggy soils.
Note:Â Â In the northern part of its growing range (USDA Zones 5-7) the Sweetbay Magnolia typically grows as a 15 to 20 feet tall and wide large shrub or tree. In the deep South (USDA Zones 8-10) it is apt to be more tree-like growing from 35 to 60 feet tall and 20 to 35 feet wide.
Also Note:Â Sweetbay Magnolia is evergreen in the South (USDA Zones 7-10) and semi deciduous to deciduous in the North (USDA Zones 5-6)
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing up to 40 feet tall with a spread of 20 feet or more, the Sweetbay Magnolia is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings, or in straight or staggered rows in privacy screen plantings or to frame the corners of tall homes and other buildings. A fine addition to fragrance gardens, North American Native gardens, white theme gardens, and wildlife gardens.
Suggested Spacing:Â 8′ in North and 10-15′ in South for privacy screens; Â 20′ in North or 40′ apart in South for space between treesÂ
Growing Preferences
The Sweetbay Magnolia is very easy to grow in a most any moist but well-drained to boggy soil of average or better fertility, even clay-based soils, and full sun or part shade. No pruning necessary.
Note:Â Â Find helpful advice from our experts under the Planting & Care tab above on desktop monitors or below on mobile phones.Â
Plant Long & Prosper!
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