Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
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.
Butterflies 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
- Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 15-20 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 10-15 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Yellow
- Flower Description
- Yellow
- Bloom Time
- Mid-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
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Butterflies Magnolia
- Also Known As
- Butterflies Magnolia
- Botanical Name
- Magnolia X 'Butterflies'
- Plant Type
- Tree
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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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.
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