Southern Magnolia

(Magnolia grandiflora)

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Family - Magnoliaceae

Natural Habitat - Primarily bottomland forests, margins of swamps and moist upland woodlands.

Planting Zones - 7, 8, 9, 10

Description -  Native evergreen tree 60-80 feet or more with a spread roughly half the height, pyramidal shape. Trunk is usually straight & upright with a single leader.

Attractive, shiny dark green leaves to 8 inches long alternately arranged, elliptic to oval, with entire margins, rusty brown pubescent on underside.

Southern Magnolia produces large white fragrant flowers 8 to nearly 12 inches across in the spring & summer. Fruit is cone-like, opening to reveal bright red seeds in autumn attached by thin threads before dropping.

Landscape Use -  Shade tree, specimen tree, screen or windbreak.

Culture - Propagation by seed or cuttings, full sun or partial shade. Medium rate of growth, best growth is in moist well drained acidic soil, but is tolerant of slightly alkaline soils. Moderately drought & salt tolerant.  Many cultivars of Southern Magnolia are available with varied growth habits & foliage/flower characteristics.

Southern Magnolia has a large spreading root structure, up to four times the spread of the canopy and is more drought resistant where there is ample space for the roots to spread.