Magnolia grandiflora /ˌmæɡˈnəʊ.li.ə/
Common name: Southern magnolia · Bull bay
Magnolia grandiflora is a large evergreen tree native to the southeastern United States, from North Carolina south to Florida and west to Texas. It is renowned for its huge, fragrant white flowers, which can reach 30 cm across, and its glossy dark-green leaves with rusty-brown felted undersides. Widely planted as an ornamental in warm temperate and subtropical regions worldwide, it has become an iconic tree of the American South.
Care summary
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Water
Moderate; water deeply when young, drought-tolerant once established
Soil
Rich, moist, well-drained; slightly acidic preferred
Hardiness
Zones 6–10
Mature height
About 1800–2700 cm (60–90 ft)
Pet safe
Yes; not listed as toxic to cats or dogs
Difficulty
Moderate
Propagation
Most reliably propagated by air layering in spring or early summer, since seed is slow and cuttings are stubborn. Semi-ripe cuttings taken in late summer can also be rooted with bottom heat and high humidity, but expect modest success rates.
Fun facts
- Magnolias are an ancient genus; fossil relatives date back around 100 million years, and the flowers evolved before bees existed, so they are mainly pollinated by beetles.
- A southern magnolia planted at the White House by Andrew Jackson in the 1830s appeared on the back of the US twenty-dollar bill for much of the 20th century.
- The species name "grandiflora" simply means "large-flowered" in Latin.
- It is the state tree of Mississippi and the state flower of both Mississippi and Louisiana.