Magnolia Tree Care Guide: How to Grow Magnolia Trees

Named for French botanist Pierre Magnol, magnolia trees are a genus of flowering plants. There are more than 200 species of magnolias, each characterized as deciduous trees or evergreen trees with large fragrant flowers coming in a variety of colors, from purples to pale pinks and whites. Magnolias make for good shade trees.

Magnolias are commonly found in Southeast Asia and the Himalayas but also have thriving populations throughout the Americas, where they’re popular at botanical gardens. Their showy, pretty flowers are often bowl- or star-shaped and can bloom starting in early spring. In warmer climates, like in San Francisco, California, magnolia trees can bloom as early as mid-January.

Magnolias are ancient organisms—so old that they precede bees. The flowers are thought to have evolved to attract beetles for pollination. Magnolia trees have been found in fossils that date back tens of millions of years, and these trees have long been symbols of nobility, beauty, and strength. They’ve also been used in medicine and teas.

Magnolia tree species are differentiated by size, flower shape, and color. Some of the most popular types of magnolia trees include:

1. 1. Southern magnolia: The Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is the official state flower of both Louisiana and Mississippi. (Mississippi is also the Magnolia State.) These gorgeous evergreen magnolias bloom in late spring or early summer and are known for their pure white, large flowers and glossy leaves.
2. 2. Saucer magnolia: The saucer magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana) is a deciduous tree with oval leaves and pink, purple, and white bloomers that blossom in early springtime. These trees are fixtures on the United States East Coast and in San Francisco on the West Coast.
3. 3. Bigleaf magnolia: True to its name, the bigleaf magnolia is distinct from other magnolias thanks to its larger, dark green leaves that can be as long as 80 centimeters. This less showy, deciduous tree is classified as the Magnolia macrophylla and can be found in parts of Mexico and the southeastern United States.
4. 4. Star magnolia: The Magnolia stellata, or star magnolia, is indigenous to Japan and boasts star-shaped white or pink flowers. These small trees are more delicate than other magnolia tree species, growing to just eight feet in height. Some of its cultivars include the 'Centennial', 'Royal Star', and 'Jane' magnolia.
5. 5. Sweetbay magnolia: The Magnolia virginiana is found in Virginia, throughout the Mid-Atlantic Coast of the United States and along the Florida panhandle. Also known as sweetbay magnolias, these ornamental flowering trees produce creamy white flowers that can emit a vanilla scent.
   
6. 6. Kobus magnolia: The kobus magnolia is native to Korea and Japan and bears fragrant white or pale pink flowers. Closely related to the Magnolia stellata, the kobus magnolia can grow to be over 70 feet tall.
7. 7. Cucumber tree: The Magnolia acuminata may not yield real cucumbers, but the unripe fruit it produces does resemble them. Cucumber trees are larger, forest trees with green foliage found in Southern Ontario in Canada or along the Appalachian Mountains. Thriving in northern climates, cucumber trees are cold hardy.
8. 8. Magnolia x loebneri: This Japanese tree is a magnolia variety sometimes classified as a large shrub. A hybrid of the star magnolia and kobus magnolia, this shrubby plant is a deciduous magnolia with pink star-shaped flowers.

Magnolia trees are best grown in a spacious area of your garden or lawn because of their size and spectacle. They can grow to be as tall as 70 feet and as wide as 50 feet when mature and in bloom. Plant magnolia trees in fertile ground—neutral to slightly acidic soil will do—and ensure they’ll have plenty of room to grow. Keep them at, not below, the original soil level.

Many magnolia tree species can be purchased year-round and planted in late winter or early spring. Some will be better suited to certain climates and environments. A sweetbay magnolia can withstand wetter soil for regions with greater precipitation, while a bigleaf magnolia can be a bit pickier; bigleaf magnolias can thrive in full sun or partial shade but will resist soil that is either too wet or too dry. Southern magnolias, meanwhile, can be planted near beaches, as these hardy trees can handle salty air.

To keep your magnolia trees as pretty as those at the botanical garden, follow these simple steps:

1. 1. Make sure your tree receives plenty of sun and water. Full sun or partial shade and lots of water are essential to magnolia trees’ health. Younger magnolia trees require frequent watering to make them strong.
2. 2. Fertilize your magnolia tree. As springtime approaches, you can add fertilizer around the base of the tree to help nourish it.
3. 3. Limit foot traffic around the tree. For younger trees, try to not walk right around the base of the trunk. Too much foot traffic will cause soil compaction around the roots and can potentially hamper the growth of your tree.
4. 4. Prune your tree when necessary. As sturdy trees, magnolias rarely suffer from infections or invading insects. If branches are broken, you can lightly prune damaged areas. Small wounds will recover over time.
5. 5. Use caution with lawn maintenance. When mowing your lawn make sure debris does not shoot at your magnolia. The bark can be sensitive, and damage caused by string trimmers or mowed projectiles can maim the tree and give pests or diseases an easier entry point.

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