Magnolia, Southern

The Southern Magnolia is an oval, pyramidal shape tree that grows to be 60′ – 80′ feet in height (or more) with a spread of about 40′ at full maturity. This tree grows at a slow to medium growth rate and does well in full sun, partial shade.

When open grown, the crown is dense with low branches often with horizontal attitude close to the ground. Dense foliage can create a cave like appearance with large trees.

LEAVES are shiny green, reddish underneath, Alternate, simple, pinnately veined and evergreen, 5 to 8 inches long, oval in shape with an entire margin. Very waxy/shiny above, and reddish tomentose below.

Its green leaves brighten the landscape throughout the year and its large white flowers are striking, not only for their beauty but for their rich fragrance.

Large, creamy white and very fragrant FLOWERS grace this broad leafed evergreen in late spring and early summer. Very showy and fragrant, 6 to 8 inches wide with large white petals. Borne singly, from May to June

Southern Magnolia FRUIT are an aggregate of follicles, green changing to red, cylindrical, 3 to 5 inches long with red seeds, 1/2 inch long. Maturing October to November. They are eaten by squirrels, rabbits, & birds, including wild turkey and other WILDLIFE.

The TWIGS are stout with white to rusty tomentum and a long (1 to 1 1/2 inches) silky white to rusty red terminal bud.

The BARK is brown to gray, thin, smooth/lenticellate when young, later with close plates or scales.