The Southern Magnolia is a crowd favorite and a tree with a lot of character. These make great specimen trees with visual interest year-round.
Botanical Name: Magnolia grandiflora
Characteristics: The Southern Magnolia is a broadleaf evergreen, meaning it doesn’t lose its leaves during the dormant season. The leaves are large, leathery, and glossy green on one side and cinnamon brown and fuzzy on the other. Grandiflora means ‘large flower’ and the Southern Magnolia boasts large white flowers that bloom in early summer. After the flower petals fall away, a large cone-shaped seed pod is left. These trees can grow quite large over time, up to 80 feet tall.
Hardiness Zone: Zones 5-9
Requirements: The Southern Magnolia does well in partial shade or full sun and requires a regular watering schedule with well-drained soil. These trees are fairly low maintenance.
Pest Susceptibility: Various scale insects can be found on Southern Magnolias, as well as Tulip Poplar Weevils and Magnolia Borers. Diseases may include leaf spot, cankers, and verticillium wilt.
A variety we recommend is the ‘Brackens Brown Beauty’ for its winter hardiness and smaller growth of up to 30 feet tall. Give us a call if you would like to add one of these great specimen trees to your yard.