From stately southerly magnolia to petite whiz magnolias , there is a type of magnolia tree diagram or shrub for everyone .

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With so many spectacular character of magnolia Tree and shrub to choose from , it can be baffling to prefer the gross one for your curtilage . Maybe you ’re drawn to the real flowers and bluff fragrance of southerly magnolias , or you enjoy star magnolia ’s delicate prime announcing spring ’s arrival . Some types are well - suit for the heating and humidity of the southern United States , while others stand the frigid winters ofcolder zones . Some magnolia grow well insmall - space landscapes , while others demand big yards to make their full potential . Whatever your heart desires , observe the best types of magnolia for your grand with this guide .

Lily Magnolia

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Southern Magnolia

Mary Carolyn Pindar

Southern magnolia ( Magnolia grandiflora)is a large evergreen tree that ’s aboriginal to the southeastern United States . The 10- to 12 - inch - widewhite flowersbloom in summer . The flower are play along by brown yield with bright red seeds . The oval - shape , shiny , dark green farewell have fuzzy , rusty - brownish undersides and are frequentlyclipped for wreaths , swags , and interior interior decoration .

works southerly magnolia where it has mint of infinite to enlarge or choose a small variety such as ‘ Kay Parris ’ , ‘ Little Gem ’ , or ‘ Teddy Bear ’ . These varieties reach a mature size of 30 base marvelous .

southern magnolia white flower

Credit:Mary Carolyn Pindar

Growing Conditions : Part shade and moist , well - drained soil . It toleratesclay soilbut does not grow well in wet or swampy area .

Size:60 to 80 human foot tall and 20 to 40 feet encompassing

Zones:6–10

Sweet Bay Magnolia

Credit:Bob Stefko

Sweet Bay Magnolia

Bob Stefko

ANorth American native , sweet bay magnolia(Magnolia virginiana)is a pocket-sized , slow - develop Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with fragrant white prime and dark-skinned green leaves . If southern magnolia is too expectant for your landscape painting , perfumed bay magnolia might be a serious fit . In strong climates , this outpouring - bloom tree is evergreen ; in cold-blooded climate , it often sheds its leaves . Unlike other magnolia , it thrive in moist and boggy ground . imbed it in low place and wet sites in the landscape .

Growing precondition : Full sun to part subtlety and consistently moist - to - wet soil . It tolerates boggy soil .

Saucer Magnolia Magnolia x soulangeana

Credit: David Speer

Size:10 to 30 feet tall and wide

Zones:5–10

Saucer Magnolia

Large , cup - shaped flowers ornament the mere branches of this deciduous case of magnolia tree diagram in late winter or early leaping . Its prominent fuzzy bud add interest in winter and are popular forcut arrangement . Saucer magnolia ( Magnoliaxsoulangeana)is a great tone tree for small landscapes . geminate it with other spring flowering belittled trees likeserviceberry , crab apple , andredbudfor a living screen along a property telephone line .

develop Conditions : Full sunshine to part shade and moist , well - drain soil . It grows expert in consistently damp land .

Size:15 to 30 foot tall and 15 to 25 base wide

star magnolia tree growing in front of house

Credit: Janet Mesic-Mackie

Zones:4–9

Star Magnolia

This petite eccentric of magnolia has refined — almost frilly — fragrant flowers . Star magnolia ( Magnolia stellata)is covered with white orpink blossomsin former fountain before the industrial plant ’s leaves emerge . A easy - growing deciduous shrub or multi - cauline tree , star magnolia works well for small landscape . apply it in a mixed bush margin or add it near a terrace . Thismagnolia seldom ask pruning . ‘ Royal Star ’ is an splendid variety with double , snow - white flower .

Growing Conditions : Full sunlight and moist , plenteous soil . It is adaptable to a variety of term .

Size:15 to 20 foundation tall and 10 to 15 feet wide

Loebner Magnolia

Credit:Dean Schoeppner

Loebner Magnolia

Dean Schoeppner

Loebner magnolia(Magnoliaxloebneri)is a star magnolia hybrid . It has many - petalled flowers like star magnolia with a more rich , tree - like riding habit . Use Loebner magnolia as a medium - sized tree in the landscape . This deciduous magnolia flower a twosome of weeks later than the wizard magnolia — midspring in many orbit . Grow ‘ Merrill ’ for its fragrant efflorescence . ‘ Leonard Messel ’ ( shown here ) is a pink - blossom mixed bag .

farm term : Full Sunday to part spook and moist , rich , well - drained soil

Cucumber Magnolia

Credit:Denny Schrock

Size:15 to 30 feet grandiloquent and wide-eyed

Cucumber Magnolia

Denny Schrock

xanthous tulip - like efflorescence decorate the leg tips of this aboriginal magnolia in outflow . Cucumber magnolia(Magnolia acuminata)is deciduous with a pleasingpyramidal shape ; it makes a not bad residential nuance tree . It barf dense tone and rarely needs dress . ‘ Yellow Bird ’ , ‘ Butterflies ’ , and ' Gold Star ' ( testify here ) are a few popular varieties to look for .

grow Conditions : Full sun and moist , rich , well - drained territory

Big Leaf Magnolia

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Size:30 to 40 foundation tall and 25 foot full

Zones:5–9

Bigleaf Magnolia

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This type of magnolia tree is aptly identify — the leaves of the North American native are vast ! The 12- to 32 - inch - farseeing leaves are up to 12 inches wide-eyed . Bigleaf magnolia(Magnolia macrophylla)flowers are extra large too . Each fragrant flower is 8 to 12 inch wide . The tree diagram are slow to blossom ; they ’re usually 12 to 15 years honest-to-god before they will blossom . Bigleaf magnolia flush sporadically from May to June , and is deciduous in most areas but semi - evergreen in Zone 8 .

Growing Conditions : Full sunto part shade ; digest a wide variety of dirt

Kobus Magnolia

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Size:30 to 40 feet tall and 20 to 30 ft broad .

Zones:5–8

Lily Magnolia

A smaller type of magnolia Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , lily magnolia(Magnolia liliiflora)grows up to 12 understructure tall . It is covered with lily - shaped flowers in give before the leaves come forth . The prime have a lily-white interior and a imperial - pink outside . Several lily magnolia cross are usable , such as the Little Girl series—‘Ann ’ , ‘ Betty ’ , and ‘ Jane ’ are three examples .

Growing Conditions : Full Dominicus to part shade and moist , well - drain dirt . It grows best in soil that is damp but not miry

Size:8 to 12 feet tall and broad

Yulan Magnolia

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Kobus Magnolia

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A refined multi - trunked tree , kobus magnolia(Magnolia kobus)has a shape and branch habit evocative of a stately live oak tree . Kobus magnolia blooms in early spring before the unexampled leaves go forth . The 4 - inch - broad , white or pinkish flowers are lightly fragrant . The tree diagram drops its 4- to 8 - inch - long leaves in fall . ‘ Wada ’s Memory ’ is a popular diversity with opprobrious - light-green leaves and large flowers .

Growing Conditions : Full sun and well - drained stain

single white flower on magnolia ashei

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Size:25 feet marvellous and wide

Yulan Magnolia

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A fast development rate and striking dark gullible folio make Yulan magnolia(Magnolia denudata)a welcome landscape tree . Count on it to develop 30 to 40 substructure tall and wide and have a rounded outline . It is a multi - trunk tree with quiet barque and pendulous offset . Plant it near a patio or walk where you may enjoy its attributes year - round . Lemon - scented , 6 - inch - wide flowers decorate the tree ’s bare leg in spring .

spring up condition : Full sun to part shade and moist , well - drain soil

anise magnolia branches with white flowers

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Size:30 to 40 feet marvelous and wide

Zones:6–8

Ashe Magnolia

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endemical to the Florida Panhandle , Ashe magnolia(Magnolia ashei)is smaller and rare than its cheeseparing relative , the bigleaf magnolia . A good choice for more modest - sized landscapes or for use as an understory Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , Ashe magnolia tops out around 30 foot . Its creamy snowy peak emit a lovely bouquet similar to a mix of jasmine and citrus in early summertime .

Size:10 to 30 substructure tall

flower and leaves of umbrella magnolia

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Zones:6–9

Anise Magnolia

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acclaim from Japan , anise magnolia(Magnolia salicifolia)blooms so prolifically in spring , you almost ca n’t see its ramification through the masses of white-hot blossom . Their fragrance is a heady mixture of lemon tree and anise plant . But even when it ’s not bloom , it ’s a striking fiddling tree with elegant willow - like leaves .

Size:20 to 30 ft tall and wide

Umbrella Magnolia

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The umbrella magnolia(Magnolia tripetala)isn’t named for the tree ’s overall habit , but for its leafage , which splay out from the ends of stalk in a shape resonant of an open umbrella . Native to the woods of North America ( from the Appalachian to the Blue Ridge Mountains ) , this charming deciduous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree will thrive in regularly dampish grunge and part shade ( and will tolerate full sun ) . Its fountain show of whitened prime is followed by non - edible pinkish fruit in the fall .

Frequently Asked Questions

Magnolia trees are very limited for many reasons — they can last anywhere from 80 to 120 yr ! Also , their blossom are quite unique , containing both male and distaff reproductive organs ; they ’re thick with a typical build ( each one has or so 18 fuse petals and sepal ) , bring more pollinators in than any other flower .

Yes , but there ’s a caution . Magnolia trees and shrubs are loony toons - jazz plants by nature , andcoffee grounds have some levels of battery-acid that may help . However , the effective way to do it is by adding the cause to compost or mulching — the burnt umber grounds will slowly decompose , releasing the nutrient a magnolia needs to grow and thrive decent along with unconstipated fertiliser and continual sustentation .

Most magnolia trees do n’t have striking fall foliage , but there are a few exceptions . For good example , the leaves of ' Ballerina ' and anise magnolia turn pig and golden , respectively , in autumn .