Butterflies Magnolia

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

15 - 20 Feet

Mature Spread

10 - 15 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 8

To find a tree to make a statement, it is difficult to do better than the Butterflies Magnolia. With massive, canary-yellow, lemon-scented blooms, Butterflies, is considered one of the premier yellow magnolias out there. This petite pyramidal tree grows 15-20 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide. Its dramatic blooms appear in the spring before leaves emerge, looking like a burst of sunshine after a dreary winter. This exciting specimen has big tree personality in a relatively small package. 

The Butterflies Magnolia attracts pollinators while also being deer resistant. This smaller magnolia variety can be grown as a standalone tree or be maintained as a shrub or deciduous hedge. Once established, the Butterflies Magnolia is drought and heat tolerant. Combined with its ease at surviving the winter, Butterflies Magnolia makes for a beautiful yet resilient tree option.

Butterflies Magnolia Care

The Butterflies Magnolia is adaptable to various soil types, from clay to loam to sand, and grows well in both neutral and acidic soils. Plant this magnolia in a full-to-part-sun spot with well-draining soil, digging a hole that is at least twice as wide and equal depth as the root ball. This magnolia will not grow well in poorly drained or boggy soils, so amend your soil as needed. The Butterflies Magnolia will need regular watering in the first couple years after planting, but can handle periods of drought once established. Apply organic, nitrogen-rich fertilizer such as blood meal in the early spring to help the Butterflies Magnolia develop new growth.

Butterfly Magnolias must be pruned at the right time to ensure that they will bloom the following year. In the late spring or early summer, immediately following blooming, young trees can be trimmed and pruned to the desired shape and size. At this time, remove crowded branches and any leggy shoots. While the Butterflies Magnolia can be pruned into a smaller size and shape, it is best to choose a spot that allows this tree to grow its full size, which will require less maintenance and improve plant health and blooming.

Butterflies Magnolia Spacing

The Butterflies Magnolia has the potential to grow 10-15 feet wide and should therefore be planted at least 5 feet from any surrounding plants or structures. To create a Butterflies Magnolia hedge, plants can be placed slightly closer where they can grow together. The lower branches can be pruned up, leaving a couple feet of space beneath this tree to plant other shrubs and perennials or annuals.