Description
Sweetbay magnolia is a fairly large flowering shrub with large beautiful flowers. Its native range is within 500 miles of the Gulf and the Atlantic ocean. The flowers have a slight vanilla scent and some birds eat the seeds. It is an excellent specimen plant and can be an evergreen were the winters are mild. North Carolina extension has a good website in this tree.
It may not be the best flowering magnolia for the far north as hardiness can be a problem. Star magnolia may be a better magnolia for these areas. Some of our other flowering trees.
Scientific Name: Magnolia virginiana
Zone: 5-9 Find Your Growing Zone
Mature Height: 10-20 ft
Mature Width: 10-20 ft
Fruit: Cone like cluster of red fruit
Flowers: Large fragrant, white flowers
Bloom Time: April
Growth Rate: Medium (12” – 24” per year)
Soil: acidic, moist, well-drained
Drought Tolerance: Good
Flood Tolerance: Moderate
Sun Requirements: Sun or part-shade
Fall Color: yellow or orange
Wildlife Value: Larval host for several butterfly species, cover and pollen source.
