Magnolias cannot pollinate without the help of beetles. They Are Highly Aromatic. But evergreen trees do lose some leaves. Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia) is a species of tree in the family Magnoliaceae. Tree Size: 50-80 ft (15-24 m) tall, 2-3 ft (.6-1 m) trunk diameter. Its spectacular, fruit-scented, creamy white flowers are … The evergreen foliage of large, smooth, leathery, oblong-elliptic leaves, 5-10 in. It is characterized as being one of the most beautiful native trees. Fruit and seeds of the southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora). No routine pruning necessary. This makes it very difficult to save existing magnolia trees on … Magnolia grandiflora provides shelter and food for many animals, including native birds (doves, woodpeckers, quails, wild turkeys) and small mammals. This is a magnificent tree of the South. However in some conditions, such as on coastal dunes, it can appear as a low shrub. Note this is the default cart. It has contrasting sides on its evergreen, stiff, leathery leaves: glossy, dark green above and gray to rust-colored and felted below. It gives you the idea of how the plant looks, where the seed pod will be, what the seed will be like, etc. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources. We use cookies on this website, you can read about them here. The cup-shaped blossoms open in the morning and close at night for 2-3 days. Their reputation as messy trees is promoted by their loss of leaves throughout the year. But beyond their big, creamy white blooms and deep green, waxy leaves, Southern magnolias have more to them. Young ‘Little Gem’ Southern Magnolia. Growth Characteristics. Individuals can grow to 100 feet. They have a self-supporting growth form. The seeds are drupelike with a soft, fleshy outer seed coat and an … The importance of Southern Magnolia is high as its benefits are more and so are Southern Magnolia Facts. Propagate by seed in autumn, semi-ripe cuttings from late summer to early autumn or layering in early spring. across (20 cm), appear at the tips of thick, tough stems in late spring, throughout the summer and into fall. Southern magnolia is considered to be one of the major species of the potential climax forest of the southeastern Coastal Plains (3,6,15,16,20). Throughout the spring and summer, the large flowers of the Southern magnolia tree open and release their strong, pleasant fragrance, reminiscent of lemons. The fragrant magnolia, also called Siebold’s magnolia (Magnolia sieboldii) is … In 1900, students from Mississippi voted the Southern magnolia in as the state flower, a decision that was formally passed by legislature in 1952. The southern magnolia has a unique fruit that is an aggregate of red seeds. Interesting Facts About the Southern Magnolia Different Sizes Available. long (12-25 cm), is shiny dark green above and often tan to copper brown underneath. Magnolia is a large genus of about 210 flowering plant species in the subfamily Magnolioideae of the family Magnoliaceae.It is named after French botanist Pierre Magnol.. Magnolia is an ancient genus. Huge, powerfully fragrant, creamy-white flowers, 8 in. It is characterized as being one of the most beautiful native trees. Flowers open sporadically throughout these warmer months. Not sure which Magnolias to pick?Compare All Magnolias, Buy Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia), Great Plant Combination Ideas with Magnolias. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Southern Magnolia, North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension: Magnolia Grandiflora, Alabama Cooperative Extension System: Southern Magnolias to Fit Your Landscape Needs, Washington State University Clark County Extension: Southern Magnolia, Mississippi's Official State Website: State Symbols, Strawberry Tree - Arbutus Marina Information. It usually grows a single sturdy trunk and forms a broad pyramidal crown that spreads to between 30 and 50 feet across. Magnolia grandiflora, commonly known as the southern magnolia or bull bay, is a tree of the family Magnoliaceae native to the southeastern United States, from Virginia to central Florida, and west to East Texas. The Southern Magnolia has 5-10 alternate, simple, persistent, leathery evergreen ovate to elliptic leaves (5 to 10 inches long). "Little Gem" typically reaches 12 to 20 feet tall with a spread of 10 to 15 feet and produces proportionally smaller flowers. Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) became the state flower of Mississippi in 1952. Long-lived, its attractive evergreen leaves and creamy-white fragrant flowers make it a popular ornamental and shade tree around the world in warm temperate and subtropical regions. In the past, regular burning restricted the species to the wetter sites, as seedlings are easily killed by fire. Southern magnolias, in particular, are known for their leaf and fruit litter, which make for a less manicured appearance and and an increased requirement for clean-up. The Southern Magnolia is a crowd favorite and a tree with a lot of character. When you think of evergreens, you likely don't think of messy leaf litter. When the pods open, the seeds often hang by silky threads. While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. These make great specimen trees with visual interest year-round. Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is a magnificent tree cultivated for its glossy green leaves and lovely white blossoms. To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of our site. It is generally too hot and dry in central and western Texas and Oklahoma, and the soil pH is often too alkaline for this tree. Deleting this collection CANNOT be undone. If pruning is desired, prune after blooming during the growing season because dormant magnolias do not easily heal. A distinctive evergreen tree with large, showy, fragrant flowers (citrus scented), the southern magnolia is found throughout the milder regions of the Pacific Northwest. Known as an aesthetically charming unofficial representative of the southern United States, the Southern magnolia is also an official representative of Mississippi. Check these Great Plant Combination Ideas with Magnolias, A Charming Border Idea with Alliums, Garden Pinks & Wallflowers, A Lovely Border Idea with Achillea, Agapanthus and Grasses, A Super Climbing Duo with Crimson Roses and Purple Clematis, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2, Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries, Grows up to 60-80 ft. tall (18-24 m) and 30-50 ft. wide (9-15 m). ‘Little Gem’ Southern Magnolia1 Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2 INTRODUCTION This cultivar of Southern Magnolia has a compact, upright growth habit more typical of a multistemmed shrub than a single-trunked tree (Fig. Every gardener must look for the required information on this plant before planting it. Larger species can grow 80 feet in height. Magnolia grandiflora: Southern Magnolia 3 Fruit Fruit shape: elongated Fruit length: 3 to 5 inches Fruit covering: dry or hard Fruit color: green to bright red with maturity Fruit characteristics: attracts birds; showy; fruit/leaves a litter problem Fruiting: fall Trunk and Branches Trunk/branches: branches droop; not showy; typically one trunk; no thorns A commanding presence in the landscape, Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia) is a magnificent, dense evergreen tree with a straight trunk and a pyramidal to rounded crown. Reaching 27.5 m (90 ft) in height, it is a large, striking evergreen tree, with large dark green leaves up to 20 cm (7 ⁄4 in) long and 12 cm (4 ⁄4 in) wide, and large, white, fragrant flowers up to 30 cm (12 in) in diameter. Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. The Magnolia Tree for the North and the South Why Southern Magnolia Trees? If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas. Their bright and sweet-smelling flowers help attract these beetles. across (20 cm), appear at the tips of thick, tough stems in late spring, throughout the summer and into fall. They have simple, simple leaves and white flowers. The southern magnolia's most distinguishing trait is their large fragrant white flowers. Is the Magnolia Tree a Conifer or a Broadleaf? They are glossy dark green above and variable pale green to gray-brown beneath. The … The magnolia family has the following primitive characteristics: (1) Large flowers with numerous petals and sepals (called tepals because they are similar in size and shape); (2) Numerous spirally arranged stamens at the base of a conelike receptacle bearing numerous spirally arranged carpels. Southern Magnolia family is the family in which it has some properties in common with other plants in that family. Noteworthy Characteristics. Appearing before bees did, the flowers are theorized to have evolved to encourage pollination by beetles. Magnolia grandiflora is a broadleaf evergreen tree that is noted for its attractive dark green leaves and its large, extremely fragrant flowers. Botanical Name: Magnolia grandiflora. Huge, powerfully fragrant, creamy-white flowers, 8 in. Bark: Native to the southeastern United States, Southern Magnolia is relatively fast-growing and pest free. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. It can withstand some flooding and has moderate drought tolerance. Join now and start creating your dream garden! Tarah Damask's writing career began in 2003 and includes experience as a fashion writer/editor for Neiman Marcus, short fiction publications in "North Texas Review," a self-published novel, band biographies, charter school curriculum and articles for various websites. Plant this tree in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7a through 10a for successful performance. a glossy shade of dark green, but the leaf underside is paler green, often with a coating of fine brown hairs that give it a rusty appearance. It is native to moist wooded areas in the southeastern United States from North Carolina to Florida and Texas. Its dried leaves are prized by florists in flower arrangements. If you have ever seen a Southern magnolia tree (Magnolia grandiflora) in front of a neighbor's home or while driving along a Southern highway, you have experienced the visually rich impact and intoxicating scent these plants impart. Distribution: Southeastern United States. These flowers can be up to 30cm across and are extremely fragrant. This can be a problem in well-manicured landscapes. The root system is wider spreading than most other trees, extending from the trunk a distance equal to about four times the canopy width. Southern magnolia becomes a densely foliaged evergreen tree with a broad, pyramid-like shape. Southern magnolia prefers acid soil but will tolerate a slightly basic, even wet or clay soil. It can withstand some flooding and has moderate drought tolerance. The scent is strong enough to "perfume the entire garden," notes University of Florida IFAS Extension. In 1938, schoolchildren again voted for the Southern magnolia, this time as their state tree, and legislation was passed making it the official state tree of Mississippi. The fruit is an aggregate of follicles, and each follicle bears a single red seed. Identifying Characteristics The southern magnolia is a fairly large evergreen tree that can reach up to 27m tall with large oval shaped leaves. And it’s versatile – it’s considered an ornamental tree for its iconic blooms and a privacy tree for its large stature and evergreen leaves. Particularly if you have a garden that is too small to handle this big tree, choosing a cultivar, such as "Little Gem" means you can still enjoy the beauty and scent of this evergreen. Older leaves drop during late spring and summer. They are followed by cone-like seedpods that contain large rose-red seeds. Damask holds a Master of Arts in English and creative writing from the University of North Texas. 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