Plant care & info

Family: Magnoliaceae

Genus: Magnolia. Named for Pierre Magnolia (1638-1715), Professor of Botany and Director of Montpellier Botanic Gardens in France.

Common Name: Magnolia

East Asia, Himalayas, North, and Central America

Consists of about 125 species of deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs. Flowers are large, often scented, and range in color—including white, yellow, pink, and purple. Flower buds are covered in gray fuzz. Leaves are alternate or clustered, appearing as if whorled around the branch.

Size varies per variety and ranges between 6’ tall and 35’ tall.

Afternoon shade is preferred for many species but not all. In Portland, Magnolia grandifloras are best with full sun and plenty of heat. Moist, well-drained, and slightly acidic soil is preferred by most. None of the Magnolias are particularly drought tolerant. Even for established plants, a few deep drinks in summer is a good idea. Trees planted in hot afternoon sun need extra water to prevent leaf scorch.

Cold tolerance varies per species, ranging between Zones 4 and 8. Portland residents are fortunate to live in a climate mild enough to grow most Magnolias successfully.

Late frosts may damage flower buds, causing some browning. Usually, however, frosts do not prohibit bloom in Portland. Cold winters may damage leaves on evergreen varieties, but bad weather does not typically cause death.

Magnolias are susceptible to several insects, including aphids and scale, but neither represents a large problem in Portland. Powdery mildew can be problematic on some varieties.

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Ann

Magnolia ‘Ann’

Purple tulip flowers bloom just after Star Magnolias in spring, repeating their bloom in late summer. ‘Ann’ is a slow-growing shrubby form reaching 10’ tall and 12’ wide. Sun to part shade. Zone 5.

Black Tulip

Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’

Dark, wine-red, goblet-shaped flowers are the same color inside and out. Flowers open in early spring before foliage appears. Grows to 15-20’ tall and 6-10’ wide. Deciduous. Full sun to part shade. Zone 5.

Butterflies

Magnolia acuminata ‘Butterflies’

Considered by many to be one of the best yellow magnolias. An intense display of lemon yellow flowers appear in spring before foliage. Deciduous with an upright pyramidal form. Grows to 20’ tall and 20’ wide. Sun to part shade. Zone 4.

Elizabeth

Magnolia acuminata ‘Elizabeth’

Pale yellow, green tinged flowers open before leaves arrive in spring. This variety is sterile, so no seed pods will develop. Deciduous with an upright, oval to pyramidal shape reaching 25-30’ tall and 12-15’ wide. Sun to part shade. Zone 5.

Galaxy

Magnolia ‘Galaxy’

Produces purple flowers tinged with lighter pink to white inside. Flowers are up to 9” across. Deciduous. Grows to 25-30’ tall and 15-20’ wide. Full sun to part shade. Zone 5.

Southern Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora: Southern Magnolia

Native to the SE United States, from North Carolina to Texas. It’s also the state flower of Mississippi and Louisiana.

Huge white flowers with waxy thick petals bloom sporadically from May through summer. Their scent is strong and fruity. Seed pods form after blooming. Large, dark green and glossy foliage has a fuzzy cinnamon color on the reverse side. Leaves shed year-round, but the tree is never without foliage. Full sun. Zone 7.

Many cultivated varieties are currently in production.

‘Edith Bogue’: 25′ x 25′
‘Little Gem’: 25’ x 10-15’. Produces smaller leaves than other varieties.
‘St. Mary’: 25′ x 25′

Jane

Magnolia ‘Jane’

Reddish purple buds open to pink flowers that are lighter on the inside than outside. Flowers open over a long period of time. Deciduous. Grows to 15’ tall and 15’ wide. Sun to part shade. Zone 5.

Big Leaf Magnolia

Magnolia macrophylla: Big Leaf Magnolia

Native to SE United States, from Ohio to Florida and Arkansas to Louisiana—most often in isolated populations. Huge leaves—from 12” to 30” long and 6” to 12” wide—are green on top and frosty gray underneath. June flowers are large, cup shaped, creamy white, and fragrant. Blooms at 15 years, but it’s worth the wait! Native habitat is shady and moist, but it will adapt to sunnier and drier locations. Zone 5.

Oyama Magnolia

Magnolia sieboldii: Oyama Magnolia

Native to Japan. Sparkling white, sweetly fragrant flowers with rose-pink stamens bloom in May and June. Pink seed pods form in summer. Deciduous leaves turn yellow before falling in October. Grows in an upright vase shape to 10-15’ tall and wider. This Magnolia is perfectly suited to a woodland garden or planted as an under story tree with dappled light. All-day sun is okay, but it will require extra water to keep leaves from burning. Zone 6.

Saucer or Tulip Magnolia

Magnolia x soulangeana: Saucer or Tulip Magnolia

Saucer Magnolia is a hybrid of Magnolia denudata and Magnolia liliiflora, and was first developed in France in 1826. It is named for Etiene Soulange Boudin, who raised the original seedling.

Flowers appear in early spring and resemble saucers. Fat petals—tinged rose pink or purple at the base—surround pink stamens and exude a sweet, clean fragrance. Green leaves turn gold and brown before falling in autumn. Brown seed pods persist and when opened, reveal bright red seeds. The growth habit is upright in youth, developing a broad round head with heavy spreading branches. Grows 20-25′ tall and 15-20′ wide. Full sun. Zone 5.

Star Magnolia

Magnolia stellata ‘Royal Star’: Star Magnolia

White star flowers are among the first to bloom each year, signaling the arrival of spring. Green leaves follow, with foliage turning yellow in autumn. Grows 10-15′ tall and 10-12′ wide. Sun. Zone 4.

Susan

Magnolia ‘Susan’

Forms dark red/purple bud, with flowers blooming in April. Deciduous with a shrubby habit, reaching 10-15’ tall and wide. Sun to part shade. Zone 5.

Sweet Bay Magnolia

Magnolia virginiana: Sweet Bay Magnolia

Native to the US east coast, from Massachusetts to Florida and near the coast of Texas. Creamy white, lemon-scented flowers bloom from late spring to early fall. Leaves are evergreen in mild areas, but are often deciduous in Portland’s windy areas. One of the few plants to thrive in swampy wet areas! Prefers sun to part shade and acidic soil. Zone 5.

Vulcan

Magnolia ‘Vulcan’

A truly magnificent flower. Produces massive, wavy-edged, 10” flowers with petals drenched in dark red and purple. ‘Vulcan’ blooms at a young age, but flowers may not take on their full color for a few years. Deciduous with an upright, open branching habit. Grows to 20’ tall and 15’ wide. Sun to part shade. Zone 6.

Magnolia Trees

Plant care & info

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