Magnolia Tree: Everything You Need to Know About Planting One in Your Backyard
The words magnolia tree likely inspire visions the American South, of large shade trees with fragrant blossoms in sweet pastel colors. And though they’re often associated with states like Louisiana and Mississippi, they actually have quite a large growing range. In fact, there are types of magnolias that flourish as far north as Maine and Minnesota, and with 12 species and hundreds of varieties (including some that grow at big as 70 feet), there’s a magnolia for everyone. Whatever magnolia tree you pick, whether one with beautiful white, pink, red, or even yellow flowers, the plant is sure to bring a note of elegance to your garden.
“Magnolia trees are absolutely beautiful,” says Evan Torchio, CEO and founder at Tree Menders, expert arborists. “Some types are evergreen and have these large, stunning white blooms, while others are deciduous magnolias (ones that lose their leaves in the winter) and grow a bit smaller,” he says. According to Torchio, people love planting them because of their incredible late spring flower show, which attracts bees, wasps, flies, and even spiders—making the trees a great resource for supporting local wildlife.
For all these reasons and more, you might be considering adding a magnolia tree, a beautiful flowering tree, or two to your yard. We chatted with Torchio and Judie Evrard Brower of Tesselaar Plants, an international plant research company, to find out how to plant a magnolia tree and everything else you need to know in order to add one to your outdoor space.
Is it better to plant a magnolia from seed of buy a baby tree from a nursery?
While it’s of course possible to plant a magnolia tree from seed, experts advise finding a baby magnolia tree from a plant nursery. “It’s best to start with a young tree from a nursery rather than planting from seed since it speeds up the growth process,” says Torchio. After all, magnolias take years to grow to their full size, and depending on where you live and what variety you hope to have, the tree may take years to establish itself with a strong root system.
What variety of magnolia should I choose?
The answer to this all depends on your region and hardiness zone. The Mississippi’s state tree, southern magnolia trees, for example, thrive in USDA Zones 7 to 10. However, star magnolia, native to Japan and a deciduous tree, can handle growing zones 4 to 8. The former grows upwards of 80 feet, while the latter stays around 20 feet. Beautiful and stately, either are wonderful options for larger green spaces and gardens.
But not all magnolias are trees, since many actually fall into the shrub category. Thanks to its compact growth and evergreen foliage, the fairy magnolia, for example, makes a handsome hedge that can rise as high as 12 feet in as few as seven years. “Plant these three feet apart for a dense screen, or five feet apart for a looser look,” Brower says.
Meanwhile, the aptly named baby grand is another great option for smaller gardens. “The leaves resemble a rubber plant, dark green and glossy, which brings interesting texture when not in bloom,” Brower notes. Reaching maturity in 10 to 12 years, the baby grand can be espaliered (grown flat against a wall) or shaped as a topiary (which are shrub trimmed into specific shapes). Although bushy, the bottom branches can be trimmed off to achieve the look of a small tree, if you prefer a more traditional look.
“Think of magnolias as you do fashion—there’s a size, shape, style, and color suited to the decor of just about any garden, even the smallest,” says Brower. Other magnolia shrubs include the sweetbay magnolia and the little gem magnolia.
Which magnolia variety has the brightest flowers?
Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. But in terms of making a bold statement with its flowers, the felix magnolia has huge flowers—12 inches across, the size of a dinner plate—with a bright fuchsia hue that couldn’t be showier. “If you want big, bright blooms to cheer you up in early spring, this is the way to go,” Brower says of the felix, which responds well in cooler weather. Its pyramidal shape and upright structure, without much shrubbery at the bottom, make it conducive to an underplanting of spring bulbs.
Which magnolia variety has the most delicate appearance?
With elegantly tapered petals and a maximum width of four feet, the burgundy star magnolia looks fragile. Yet, despite this, it’s quite hardy. “It blooms before the leaves are produced, so the flowers are clearly the star of the show, and there will be hundreds of them,” Brower says of this variety, which will grow to 11 feet in 10 years. “The nice thing about the foliage, however, is that leaves are light green in spring, darker green in summer, and then turn an appropriately autumnal yellow.”
How to plant a magnolia tree
Many varieties of magnolia prefer full sun and can tolerate some shade. Always check your variety’s care requirements. If unsure, ask a horticulturist at your local plant nursery. Most magnolias, either trees or shrubs, don’t like to be surrounded by many other plants, so find an open space to plant your tree. “Magnolias prefer some room to spread, so avoid planting them too close to structures,” says Torchio. Also, be warned: Once established, magnolias don’t want to be moved, so be sure the spot you pick is perfect for your tree’s needs long term.
When you dig your hole, make sure that it’s twice as wide as the root ball. “Make sure the root flare—where the trunk starts to spread out at the base—is visible at ground level,” says Torchio. This is because magnolias don’t like anything growing over this section of the plant, including grass. Next, place the tree in the hole, making sure it’s standing straight and is level with the ground.
Backfill the hole with soil, gently packing it around the roots, but also add plenty of organic compost into the soil you’re spreading. Make sure the root at the very top of the magnolia, the root flare, is exposed, as mentioned in step two.
According to Torchio, to help your tree get established, you want to keep young magnolia trees well-watered, so water the magnolia just after planting to make sure it gets off to a great start. However, most magnolias can’t tolerate standing water. It’s better to water them regularly, especially in their growing season (when this is depends on the variety, but it could be late spring to late summer) but not too much, as this will drown them. Once established, many magnolias become drought-tolerant and require less water. Even in the high humidity of Florida, southern magnolia can thrive.
There are several common mistakes people make when planting magnolias. First off, not having the root flare exposed is probably the biggest mistake you could make. Another common mistake is planting them too close to other plants or garden structures—things like sheds, gazebos, and archways. True, some magnolia are versatile—they can grow as a hedge or be trained to climb up a lattice against a wall. But the majority of magnolia varieties prefer their space. In fact, for magnolia trees like the southern magnolia, be sure to plant it at least 20 feet away from your house.
How to care for a magnolia tree
As always, follow your variety’s care requirements. Check for their sun, water, and soil needs. However, generally speaking, magnolias thrive in full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade, so make sure your magnolia has enough sun. “They need more water than your average tree, so I suggest giving them a good soaking once a week, especially when young or during dry periods,” says Torchio. “Once established, they become a bit more drought-tolerant.” In spring, consider adding more mulch or a slow-release fertilizer to help the plants grow every year.
Another important note is their leaf litter. “Magnolias are gorgeous, but their leaves are waxy and thick, so when they drop they don’t decompose as quickly as other leaves,” says Torchio. Hence, caring for magnolias can mean raking up their fallen leaves instead of leaving them to become natural fertilizer for your plant.
Are magnolias prone to disease?
Though bees and other pollinators love magnolias, they are surprisingly pest resistant. Their Achilles heel, however, is any root, truck, or branch damage. Magnolia damage in the shape of torn branches, cuts on their trunk, or nicked roots (so be careful when mowing around magnolias) are extremely slow to heal. And for this reason, you should prune your tree carefully—or if necessary, hire an expert.
Why are magnolia trees good for a backyard?
Magnolia trees are fantastic if you have a larger, open yard (if you have a smaller space, check out the shrub varieties instead). “Not only do they provide striking flowers in the spring, but the trees also offer cooling shade in the summer,” says Torchio. Thus, magnolia trees have a quite a few benefits for a backyard, not least of these being their fragrant blooms, which can attract pollinators like bees and other wildlife. “This is always a plus if you’re looking to create a more eco-friendly backyard.”
How long do magnolia trees live?
Magnolia tree’s life span depends on the variety. Southern magnolias have been known to live as long as 100 years, though other types only live about 20 years.
