Magnolia Tree Planting Guide

For us, nothing says Southern charm quite like a hardy Magnolia Tree. The creamy white, fragrant flowers sit against glossy leaves that, on the evergreen types, hold their dark green color right through the year. We have grown these trees on our North Florida farm for decades, and they still stop us in our tracks every spring.

There are up to 125 species of magnolia, and many of them have given us wonderful named cultivars. Some are shrub-like and deciduous, others are towering forest evergreens. The Asiatic species, star magnolia (M. stellata) and saucer magnolia (Magnolia × soulangeana), bloom in early spring before their deciduous leaves come out. The American species, southern magnolia (M. grandiflora), is evergreen and blooms in early summer. The sweetbay magnolia (M. virginiana) of eastern North America grows as an evergreen in the South and a deciduous tree farther north, with fragrant white flowers of medium size.

Most Popular Magnolia Trees

A few of our favorites come from years of watching them mature in the field. The Bracken's Brown Beauty Magnolia is a relatively cold hardy cultivar of southern magnolia with a dense pyramidal shape. The Little Gem Magnolia is a smaller, compact version of the same species that tops out around 20 feet. Both carry large flowers that open from mid spring into summer. Among the deciduous magnolias that bloom in early spring on bare branches, the Alexandrina Magnolia and Ann Magnolia are hybrids of Asian origin, much smaller in stature than the American species, with tulip-shaped pink flowers.

The conical shape of M. grandiflora and its cultivars runs all the way to the ground, and the dense evergreen foliage keeps grass and most anything else from growing underneath. Give a southern magnolia room, because a mature magnolia can reach 60 to 80 feet tall. Planted as a shade tree, it brings privacy and year round foliage to your landscape.

The deciduous Asian magnolias are smaller trees, sometimes barely more than large shrubs, and they hand you brilliant color early in the season when little else is awake. Do keep in mind that deciduous types drop their large leaves, so a pristine lawn means raking up spent magnolia leaves from time to time.

If you are wondering how to grow a magnolia tree, use this planting guide to lead the way. As always, feel free to contact us with any questions. The growth rate and mature size for each variety we carry are listed in the chart below.

Here is a quick comparison of the magnolia varieties we grow:

Where to Plant a Magnolia Tree

Most magnolias do best in neutral to slightly acidic soil that stays relatively moist but still drains well. When you plant a magnolia tree, look for ground that is fertile, rich in humus, and loamy. We do not recommend amending the planting hole, since the tree's roots will spread well beyond it within a season or two. Choose a spot with good native soil instead, and let the tree settle in.

The magnolia tree root system is wide and shallow. Roots reach several feet past the canopy, so give the tree plenty of open room to grow to its full height and width. Magnolias prefer full sun to partial shade, so pick a location that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day. Some varieties tolerate shadier conditions than others, and the chart above tells you which is which.

Most magnolias also appreciate protection from strong wind, for three reasons:

1. The large green leaves of many species tear in strong wind.
2. Magnolia limbs tend to be brittle and can snap.
3. On varieties that bloom on bare branches, the flower buds are prone to wind burn and damage.

What Growing Zone Do Magnolia Trees Need?

Bracken's Brown Beauty is the most cold tolerant magnolia we grow, while Little Gem is a true Southern Magnolia that leans toward the warm weather of the Southeast. Check the United States Department of Agriculture hardiness zone for your area and pick a planting site that offers protection from summer heat or winter cold as needed. The Little Gem magnolia is hardy to zones 7 through 9, so if you garden in zone 6 or 7, place it where it will be shielded from the coldest winds, such as near a south facing wall. If you plant a Little Gem in zone 9 or 10, set it where it gets afternoon shade away from the piercing heat.

How to Plant a Magnolia Tree

You can plant magnolias in fall or spring. If you are wondering about the best time to plant a magnolia tree, spring wins, since it gives the tree the whole growing season to establish. Avoid planting in summer or winter.

• Dig a hole as deep as the magnolia sits in its nursery pot and twice as wide.
• Thoroughly wet the potting soil in the pot before you start. Lay the pot on its side and slide the root ball out. If it is stuck, slip a long-bladed knife around the inside edge to loosen it. Gently free some of the roots along the sides and bottom and pull them outward so they are not circling the root mass.
• Prune any roots that are growing in a tight circle around the inside of the pot.
• Build up a rounded mound of soil in the middle of the hole. Set the root crown on top so the top of the crown will sit at ground level.
• Spread the side roots out over the mound as you backfill. Work the soil in and around the roots. When the hole is half full, give it and the roots a good soaking.
• Once the water drains, readjust the depth of the stem if needed and finish filling the hole. Gently tamp the soil down with your hands.
• Build a 3 to 6 inch high embankment of soil around the outside of the root zone. This holds water over the roots while it sinks in. Water thoroughly.
• Spread a 3 to 6 inch layer of mulch over the root system and beyond to hold soil moisture and protect the shallow roots at the base of the tree. Hay, straw, leaves, pine needles, grass clippings, or compost all work. Do not use mushroom compost, since it contains lime and will raise the pH.

How to Care for a Magnolia Tree

If you plant in spring, give the tree at least one inch of water per week for the first six months or so. A regular watering schedule keeps it healthy while it roots in. Fall-planted trees can be watered every two weeks. Once established, most magnolias handle moderate drought well.

• Use stakes and lines to steady a new magnolia against the wind until it anchors itself.
• An organic mulch over the root zone helps retain soil moisture. Avoid any mulch that contains lime, which can yellow the leaves. If chlorosis does show up, a foliar spray of chelated iron helps green the tree back up.
• Do not fertilize a newly planted tree until its following growing season. Then, for the next two or three years, feed with a balanced fertilizer every other month through the growing season. After that, fertilize just once or twice a year.
• Do any pruning and shaping while the tree is young. Removing large branches later leaves scars that are open to infection, and young trees recover faster because fewer roots have formed.
• Magnolias are more trouble-free than many trees. Minor issues like scale insects or leaf miners can usually be left alone.

How Fast Do Magnolia Trees Grow?

Growth rate depends on the variety. The deciduous Asian magnolias like Ann grow slowly and stay compact, which makes them easy to place in a smaller yard. The southern magnolias put on steady growth once established and, given time, reach the impressive heights listed in the chart above. Most of the varieties we grow are slow to moderate growers, so you are planting a tree that rewards a little patience with decades of beauty.

Magnolias earn their keep in any landscape, even out of bloom. That attractive mounded shape holds year round, which makes a magnolia an exceptional accent tree. Come spring and summer, your yard fills with fragrance and a Southern charm that is hard to beat. Whichever variety you choose, your landscape will thank you.

Happy planting!