- Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 15 - 35 Feet
- Mature Spread 10 - 20 Feet
- Growing Zones 5 - 10
Moonglow Sweetbay Magnolia is a tree native to the Southeast of the United States and can grow in USDA zones 5-10 without fear of damage during cold winters. Magnolia virginiana ‘Moonglow’ has large, 9-12 petal flowers that bloom in June and sometimes will continue intermittently through the summer. The lovely white flowers will perfume your yard with their lemony scent. Moonglow is a semi-evergreen tree that loses its leaves quite late in the winter, just as the new ones are ready to emerge.
Sweetbay Magnolia is a smaller-sized tree that reaches a mature height of 15-30 feet and a spread of 10-20 feet. It is an approved street tree for many communities and does not have an invasive root system. Trees in the home garden become refuges for wildlife providing shelter, food, and shade. Moonglow is disease resistant and not prone to be browsed by deer or rabbits. Wet, clay soils are not a problem either. Moonglow will tolerate average to wet soils as long as they are acidic.
Moonglow Sweetbay Magnolia Care
Moonglow Magnolia needs to have acidic soil and reasonably good drainage. Soils that are boggy or even swampy may be too wet, although Sweetbay will tolerate a short period of seasonal flooding. Add a granular fertilizer as a top dressing around the root zone during the initial planting. Make sure to water trees well for the first 2-3 years. One inch of water a week helps the root system to develop strong, deep roots. Place Moonglow Magnolia 10 feet away from overhead power lines and utility poles. A 2-3 inch mulch of arborist chips or shredded leaves around the root zone will insulate the soil from heat and drought. Make sure to keep the mulch away from the trunk of the tree. Moonglow will grow well in either a full sun position or a partly shaded spot.
Pruning is not a yearly maintenance activity, but some shaping may be done after the first 1-2 years. Prune off any lower branches that seem to be crossing or in the way of an open canopy. Maintain a canopy of upright branches that do not cross each other or show any disease or winter damage. Pruning is most straightforward at the end of winter, just as the leaves have dropped and the open framework of the branches can be seen. Loosely stake the tree with the stake pointing at a 45-degree angle toward prevailing winds. After the tree has grown and become sturdy in the soil, the stake can be removed.
Moonglow Sweetbay Magnolia Spacing
Moonglow Magnolia needs to be placed in a home garden. Place the tree 15 feet away from any foundation or buildings. Place Moonglow at least 10 feet away from roadsides and sidewalks. When planting in a yard with other trees, there should be a 30-foot spacing between plants. Because the roots of Moonglow grow shallow, there may not be enough soil for larger rooted plants.
Moonglow Sweetbay Magnolia Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 10 |
| Plant Type: Tree |
| Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 15 - 35 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 10 - 20 Feet |
| Spacing: 10 - 20 Feet |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): White |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: June Through The Summer |
| Foliage Type: Evergreen |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: Deep Green |
| Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering |
| Watering: Low |
| Resists: Deer |
| Tolerates: Heat, Drought |
| Attracts: Birds |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Erosion Control, Specimen or Focal Point, Wildlife Gardens |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Low Maintenance, Native to North America |
| Brand: American Beauties Native Plants |
| Common Name: Moonglow Sweetbay Magnolia |
| Other Name(s): Sweet Bay Magnolia |
| Scientific Name: Magnolia virginiana 'Moonglow' |
- SKU:
- 1231003772-pc
Container Sizes
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.
4.5" Pot
Also Know As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Know 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
2.5 Quart
Also Know As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Know As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Know 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
#3 Pot
Also Know 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
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.
