Certain plants grow well together and complement one another's good looks. Magnolia trees are spectacular, but when combined with specific companion plants, they give a yard a curated and professionally landscaped feel. The ideal companion plants for Magnolia trees should have similar care requirements and hardiness ranges. Most Magnolias prefer full to partial sun, have average water needs, and are hardy in zones 4 through 9, but double-check your cultivar when searching for the ideal companion plants.
Shrubs To Plant With Magnolia Tree
The flowers are the main attraction of Magnolia trees. Deciduous Magnolias bloom in early spring, while evergreen varieties bloom in early summer, with the bloom cycle lasting for about three weeks. Forsythia and Japanese Cherry are spring bloomers that make excellent companions for Magnolia trees. The vibrant yellow flowers of the Forsythia bloom early and are replaced by green foliage that is a nice complement to Magnolias and other plants in the shared landscape. Japanese Cherry puts on an equally showy display throughout the spring.
Enjoy multiple seasons of visual interest with shrubs like Viburnum. Flower clusters adorn the branches in the spring and are replaced by colorful berries later in the summer. The leaves put on a stunning display each fall. Dogwoods also bloom during the spring and provide dependable greenery throughout the summer. By fall, the foliage drops from the branches, often revealing colorful bark for the winter.
Enjoy a consistent backdrop with False Cypress or Japanese holly. Both of these shrubs are evergreen and prefer acidic soil like magnolia. Leave them natural or shape them to maintain a manicured look.
Perennials To Plant With Magnolia Tree
Magnolia trees develop a wide canopy that creates shade for foliage plants like Hostas. These leafy, shade-loving plants thrive without much care and can have solid green or variegated foliage, depending on the variety. Bell-shaped flowers dangle from tall, upright stems during the summer. Anemone or windflower is another flowering perennial, but this plant is primarily grown for its dainty flowers that bloom from spring through fall.
Sweet Flag is a grasslike perennial that provides texture and color and thrives in damp areas. Bright sword-shaped foliage has an upright, spreading growth habit, creating a dense groundcover. Both Magnolia trees and Sweet Flag appreciate weekly watering sessions. Get the texture of ornamental grass but with a more graceful presentation with Japanese Forest Grass. This perennial has a mounded growth habit and prefers partial sunlight, making it at home under a Magnolia tree’s glossy foliage.
Photo by K M, unedited, Flickr, copyright CC BY 2.0 DEED
Annuals To Plant With Magnolia Tree
Verbena plants start to bloom in spring, much like Magnolias, but continue to bloom through fall. This annual prefers full sun, so it is a better match for evergreen Magnolias, which also thrive in full sun. Mature Verbenas stand about 12 inches tall and easily fill the space beneath the Magnolia. Violas are another flowering annual that comes in various colors, so you can find a variety that fits your space. These low-profile plants work well near the front of a mixed planting.
Go for something unexpected by pairing Elephant Ears with Magnolia trees. Large heart-shaped leaves add greenery and a stately appearance to a landscape. Elephant Ears is an oversized tropical plant that can stand up to six feet tall, so plant it alongside a large Magnolia cultivar.
Best Companion Plants For Magnolia Tree in Containers
Container-grown Magnolias make a charming addition to a deck, balcony, or outdoor entertaining area. Select a large container and plant ferns or ornamental grasses around the tree's base. Both of these options grow well in containers and add texture and greenery.
If you want a flowering container companion, consider the elegant Dwarf Iris. This plant is an early spring bloomer, and the flowers may overlap with a deciduous Magnolia or be the perfect preamble to an evergreen Magnolia. The showy flowers of the Dwarf Iris last a few days, but the plants continue to set buds, so the entire bloom cycle often takes about three weeks.
Plants Not To Grow With Magnolia Tree
Plants that prefer different growing conditions are not a good match for Magnolia trees because they simply will not thrive. Differing sunlight requirements is not always a dealbreaker because a shade-loving plant can live in the filtered light created by a Magnolia, but if the shade-loving plant is larger than the Magnolia, it won’t work out. Shrubs and other plants that need dry conditions, like cacti and succulents, or soil with an alkaline pH, like Lilacs, are unsuitable companions. It’s also worth avoiding other Magnolia varieties because pests and diseases can spread more easily from one tree to another.
Photo by K M, unedited, Flickr, copyright CC BY 2.0 DEED
Best Plants To Grow With Magnolia Tree
The best type of plant to grow with Magnolia trees is any shrub, perennial or annual, that thrives in full to partial sunlight and prefers damp soil with an acidic pH, like Magnolia. Top contenders include Dogwood, Japanese Cherry, Hosta, and Sweet Flag. Be mindful of blooming schedules and select companion plants that either bloom simultaneously for a dazzling display or at alternate times for consistent color.