Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Once you meet Betty, you’ll be taken with her lovely appearance and easy-to-maintain size. The Betty Magnolia or Magnolia liliiflora x stellata 'Betty' has a compact form but still boasts full-size flowers. Cup-shaped flowers have pure white interiors and lush purplish-red exteriors. The large flowers bloom from April through May, although you may enjoy occasional blooms throughout the summer. This cultivar blooms later than other Magnolia varieties, reducing the risk of damage from a late spring frost. Flowers bloom on bare branches. The lance-shaped leaves unfurl shortly after the flowers first appear. The foliage has a coppery hue that later turns lush green before transitioning to yellow by fall.
This Magnolia is a tree with a compact, shrub-like growth habit, making it a good pick for areas with limited space. Feature the Betty Magnolia in a hedge or privacy screen, or use it as a springtime focal point in a landscape. Plant this Magnolia near a patio, porch, or high-traffic area like a door so you can enjoy the sweet-scented flowers.
Betty Magnolia Care
Full to partial sun is best for the Betty Magnolia. Plant in acidic, fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Water weekly for the first growing season. Established trees need water during a drought. Feed the Betty Magnolia each spring using a balanced, slow-release product intended for flowering trees. Plants grown in alkaline soil will benefit from an acidic fertilizer.
Prune to shape the plant after the spring flowers fade. Remove lower branches to create a traditional tree-like appearance if that is your desired look. Wrap the tree in landscape fabric to protect against harsh winter weather if grown in areas with cold conditions and high winds.
Betty Magnolia Spacing
The Betty Magnolia stands 10 to 15 feet tall and wide at maturity. While this cultivar is not large, select a spot clear of utility lines. The ideal planting location will be protected from high winds, which can damage this tree. Space trees 10 feet apart when planting a row.
Betty Magnolia Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 10-15 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 10-15 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Clumping, Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Purple
- Flower Description
- Purple
- Bloom Time
- Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green, Yellow
- Foliage Description
- Green, Yellow
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous, Variegated
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Betty Magnolia
- Also Known As
- Lily Magnolia
- Botanical Name
- Magnolia liliiflora x stellata 'Betty'
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!