Magnolia grandiflora: Southern Magnolia

Latin name: Magnolia grandiflora
Common name: Southern Magnolia
Flowers: White, 8-12” diameter^6,15, Showy and fragrant¹², bloom April- June or late spring^10,12
Fruit or cones: 3-5” long cone that mature late summer to early fall^12,13
Height & Width: 60-80’ tall with a width of 30-50’ ^{6,10,13,15,19}
Type: Evergreen^10,12,13
Habit: Pyramidal^10,12
Wetland indicator category**: FAC, FACU¹⁷
Texture: Smooth, leathery evergreen leaves^10,12
Growth rate: Slow to medium^6,13
Light: Full sun or part shade^6,10,12
Moisture: Prefers medium to moist soil and occasionally tolerates wet soil^10,19. Intolerant of soil extremes¹²
Soil*: Rich, porous, acid soils pH 5.5- 6.5 and well drained^10,19
Zones: 7-9^12,13
Origin: Southeastern United States^12,16
Ecosystem benefits: Provides food and wildlife for birds, butterflies, and hummingbirds¹⁹

Features: Magnolias grow very large and full. They are covered in attractive dark green leaves and extremely fragrant, large white flowers^12,13,15. The shiny leaves are glossy dark green with pale-green to gray-brown undersides which add beautiful color and texture to any landscape¹².

Siting: Plants prefer to be in full sun or partly shaded areas with medium to moist soil^10,12. Generally they are intolerant of extreme dry or wet soil, so moist well-drained soil is best¹³. Magnolias are great for hedges, border accents, and shade trees^6,10. These trees do best if sited in a protected location away from direct wind as strong winds can damage its lustrous 4- inch leaves¹².

Care: Plant so root flare is visible at soil surface¹⁴. At planting, water the root ball daily with two gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter for two weeks, every other day for two months and then weekly until established. Modify water recommendations to reflect site drainage and rainfall. Apply 3” of mulch over the planted area. Do not allow mulch to touch the trunk¹⁴. Maintain moist soil and remove dead growth. Do not prune lower limbs and leaves as it can result in stress, cause suckers, and make the tree susceptible to disease^6,10.

Pests: Plants are relatively pest resistant if cultural preferences are met^6,12.

This plant does not appear on the following invasive plant lists on (3/3/2019):

• USDA SC Invasive Plant Species Web site at http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/main.shtml
• SC Exotic Plant Pest Council Web site at http://www.se-eppc.org/southcarolina/

Author: Andrew Crawford

Image source:

A) http://ellenbytreefarm.com/products/magnolia-grandiflora-kay-parris

B) https://pixabay.com/photos/magnolia-tree-magnolia-blossom-142503/

Sources:

1. Armitage, A. (2001). Armitage’s manual of annuals, biennials, and half-hardy perennials. Portland, OR: Timber Press.
2. Armitage, A. (2006). Armitage’s native plants for North American gardens. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press.
3. Armitage, A. (2008). Herbaceous perennial plants: A treatise on their identification, culture, and garden attributes. Athens, GA: University of Georgia.
4. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Flowers fact sheets. Retrieved from https://hgic.clemson.edu/category/flowers/
5. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Groundcovers & vines fact sheets. Retrieved from https://hgic.clemson.edu/category/groundcovers/
6. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center. (2011). Trees. Retrieved from https://hgic.clemson.edu/category/trees/
7. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Shrubs. Retrieved from https://hgic.clemson.edu/category/shrubs/
8. Dirr, M. A. (2009). Manual of woody landscape plants. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing.
9. Gilman, E. F. (1997). Trees for urban and suburban landscapes. Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers.
10. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center University of Texas at Austin. (2012). Native plant information network. Retrieved from http://www.wildflower.org/explore/
11. McMillan, P., Plant taxonomist Clemson University, personal communication.
12. Missouri Botanical Garden Kemper Center for Home Gardening. Plant finder. Retrieved from http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Alpha.asp
13. North Carolina State University (2005). Plant fact sheets. Retrieved from http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/index.html
14. Strother, E. V., Ham, D. L., Gilland, L. (2003) Urban tree species guide: Choosing the right tree for the right place.  Columbia, SC: South Carolina Forestry Commission.
15. University of Florida, IFAS Extension. (2011). Southern trees fact sheet. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/department_envhort-trees
16. USDA. Plant profile. (n/d).Retrieved from http://plants.usda.gov/java/
17. USDA. Plant wetland indicator status. (n/d). Retrieved from http://plants.usda.gov/wetland.html
18. Vincent, E., Environmental horticulturist Clemson University, personal communication.
19. Clemson Extension. Carolina Yards Plant Database. Retrieved from https://www.clemson.edu/extension/carolinayards/plant-database/index.html
20. Add additional sources starting here

*Soil pH is determined using a professional soil test. Contact your Clemson University County Extension service for assistance www.clemson.edu/extension/. Click on “local offices”.

**2012 Plant Wetland Indicator categories (quantitative derived) http://plants.usda.gov/wetinfo.html

Indicator Code	Indicator Status	Comment
OBL	Obligate Wetland	Almost always is a hydrophyte, rarely in uplands
FACW	Facultative Wetland	Usually is a hydrophyte but occasionally found in uplands
FAC	Facultative	Commonly occurs as either a hydrophyte or non-hydrophyte
FACU	Facultative Upland	Occasionally is a hydrophyte but usually occurs in uplands
UPL	Obligate Upland	Rarely is a hydrophyte, almost always in uplands