Sweetbay Magnolia
Magnolia virginiana
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5b-10b Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Large Shrub or Tree
Height at Maturity: 15-20′ in North, 35-60 feet or more in the deep South
Width at Maturity: 10-15′ in North, 20-35′ feet in deep South
Spacing: 6-8′ in North and 10-15′ in South for privacy screens; 20′ in North or 40 feet in South for space between trees
Growth Habit / Form: Upright
Flower Color: Creamy White
Flower Size: 3″ diameter
Flowering Period: Mid Spring, Early Summer
Flower Type: Single, Cup-shaped
Fragrant Flowers: Yes – Sweet lemony fragrance!
Foliage Color: Dark Green, Silvery undersides
Fragrant Foliage: No
Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun, Morning Shade with Evening Sun
Water Needs: Average, Low when established
Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist
Soil pH: 5.5 – 7 (Acid to Neutral)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Attracts: Visual Attention, Birds
Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Drought, Heat, Humidity, Insect
Description
The Sweetbay Magnolia is a magnificent North American native evergreen tree that produces sweetly fragrant cup-shaped flowers with white petals from mid-spring to early summer and then sporadically throughout summer. Small, cone-like fruits with showy bright red seeds are displayed in fall. Elongated, large and glossy green leaves with silvery undersides provide a lush, tropical effect in the landscape. Sweet Bay Magnolia has the ability to maintain a straight central trunk, which allows it to be grown full to the ground or lower branches can be removed to form a very attractive tree with a visible trunk. Will tolerate somewhat boggy soils.
Note: In the northern part of its growing range (USDA Zones 5-7) the Sweetbay Magnolia typically grows as a 15 to 20 feet tall and wide large shrub or tree. In the deep South (USDA Zones 8-10) it is apt to be more tree-like growing from 35 to 60 feet tall and 20 to 35 feet wide.
Also Note: Sweetbay Magnolia is evergreen in the South (USDA Zones 7-10) and semi deciduous to deciduous in the North (USDA Zones 5-6)
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing up to 40 feet tall with a spread of 20 feet or more, the Sweetbay Magnolia is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings, or in straight or staggered rows in privacy screen plantings or to frame the corners of tall homes and other buildings. A fine addition to fragrance gardens, North American Native gardens, white theme gardens, and wildlife gardens.
Suggested Spacing: 8′ in North and 10-15′ in South for privacy screens; 20′ in North or 40′ apart in South for space between trees
Growing Preferences
The Sweetbay Magnolia is very easy to grow in a most any moist but well-drained to boggy soil of average or better fertility, even clay-based soils, and full sun or part shade. No pruning necessary.
Note: Find helpful advice from our experts under the Planting & Care tab above on desktop monitors or below on mobile phones.
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Plant arrived in great shape and the packaging was amazing. I was a little concerned about ordering such a large plant mail order, but I didn’t need to be.—————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG
The item arrived in a timely manner and in very good condition. The packaging was impressive. It has a lot of new growth on it already, even though I have netting over it to protect against the oncoming cicada horde. The price for the Sweet Bay was reasonable. I highly recommend Wilson Bros.————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG
Beyond pleased with the plant! Despite Cape Cod weather, this magnolia has adapted to it’s location and has flushed new leaves already. It was packed very well and arrived in great condition. Great experience with this company.——————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG























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