Magnolia Trees 1 to 18 of 18 total
Magnolia Trees 1 to 18 of 18 total
Magnolia Trees
Uses:
- Privacy Plantings
- Specimen or Focal Point
- Shade Tree
Features:
- Fragrant
- Long Blooming or Reblooming
- Unique Foliage
- Smooth Attractive Bark
Sunlight:
- Partial Shade to Full Sun
- At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight
Growing Zones:
- 4-9
- What is My Zone?
The Magnolia family comprises several species, all with lovely large flowers. The flowers are cup-like in shades of yellow, pink, purple, and white, and are often fragrant. Some magnolia varieties are evergreen, while others are deciduous. Plant one of these beauties in the front yard to elevate an entryway, or use several to form a privacy screen.
About Magnolia Trees
Genus
Magnolia
Species
360+
Family
Magnoliaceae
Common Names:
Magnolia
Native To:
The Americas & Asia
Plant Type:
Trees
Foliage Type:
Deciduous
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
5 - 8
Flower Color:
Gold/Yellow, Pink, Purple/Lavender, White
Flower Bloom Time:
Spring
Growth Habit:
Erect, Multi-stemmed, Pyramidal, Rounded
Attracts:
Bees, Moths, Pollinators, Songbirds
Tolerates
Heat, Humidity, Mild Drought
Resists:
Deer, Pests
How To Use Magnolia Trees In The Garden
These ornamental trees are prized for their dramatic blooms, which often open in early spring before the foliage appears. Depending on the variety, the flowers can be huge and fragrant or delicate and subtle, while the foliage itself may be evergreen or emerge later in lush shades of green. Adaptable from Zones 4 to 9, magnolias thrive in full sun with moist, well-draining soil and can handle a range of climates. Because they offer an unforgettable display of color and form each year, they consistently rank among the most beloved spring-flowering trees.
Landscapers commonly feature them as eye-catching focal points in front gardens or near entryways. Many also pair them with early-blooming bulbs and companion shrubs that help set off the tree’s soft pink, white, or creamy flowers. Their moderate size makes them suitable for mixed borders, foundation plantings, and container displays, with smaller cultivars often used where space is limited. By planting them in a spot protected from harsh winds and extreme weather, gardeners can ensure both reliable growth and a spectacular springtime show.
Types of Magnolia Trees
| Type | Scientific Name | Native | Foliage | Habit | Zones | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Magnolia | Magnolia stellata | Japan | Deciduous; bronze new growth, yellow in fall | Compact multi-stem shrub/small tree | 4 – 8 | Blooms at 2-3 yrs; frost-susceptible buds; clay-tolerant; showy seed pods |
| Lily Magnolia | Magnolia liliiflora | SW China (cultivated in Japan) | Deciduous; pointed, dark green, fuzzy underside | Rounded shrub/small tree | 5 – 9 | Late bloom less prone to frost; good for small spaces; numerous cultivars |
| Sweetbay Magnolia | Magnolia virginiana | SE & Mid-Atlantic USA | Semi-evergreen S; deciduous N; glossy dark green above, silvery beneath | Multi-stem shrub or small tree | 5 – 10 | Tolerates wet/boggy & clay soils; showy red-seed cones; moderate salt & pollution tolerance |
| Southern Magnolia | Magnolia grandiflora | SE USA | Deciduous; dark green, turns yellow-gold | Large pyramidal tree | 7 – 9 (6 with hardy cultivars) | Iconic “magnolia” of the South; showy cone fruits; year-round foliage; needs space & moist loam |
| Cucumber Tree | Magnolia acuminata | Eastern North America | Deciduous; dark green, turns yellow-gold | Tall pyramidal tree | 3 – 8 | Cold-hardiest magnolia; red “cucumber” fruits; tolerates alkaline soils; good fall color |
Magnolia Tree Care
Plant magnolias in well-drained, slightly acidic soil with full to partial sunlight. Water newly planted trees twice a week and reduce to occasional watering once established. Fertilize in spring and summer with a balanced fertilizer to encourage healthy growth.
Plant magnolias in well-drained, slightly acidic soil with full to partial sunlight. Water newly planted trees twice a week and reduce to occasional watering once established. Fertilize in spring and summer with a balanced fertilizer to encourage healthy growth.
Learn More About Magnolia Tree Care
Magnolia Tree Companion Plants
Magnolias prosper in slightly acidic, consistently moist soil with good drainage and enjoy full sun in cooler regions or gentle afternoon shade in hotter zones. Pair them with forsythia, whose spring blossoms mirror—and then extend—the tree’s own show, and with dogwood, which adds later-season flowers, berries, and winter bark while thriving in the same light and moisture. Beneath the canopy, hostas supply bold foliage that tolerates the rooted shade, and an ornamental grass like sedge or golden sweet flag weaves a moisture‑loving, textural groundcover that echoes magnolia’s preference for damp conditions without competing for space.
