Magnolia virginiana – Sweetbay Magnolia

General Information: This beautiful ornamental tree is a charm in most settings. Unfussy and gorgeous, Sweetbay Magnolia blooms while young and continues to please for years. The citrus-scented flowers emerge in June and persist through September in most parts of the plant’s range. While they are almost always compact in the North, between 10 and 30 feet, but the largest specimens found in the Deep South have been noted to reach exceptional heights of over 100 feet! Their Springtime greenery is impressive, but the real magic of these trees starts in summer, with a profusion of cream-colored flowers. An individual flower persists for 3 days, closing each night and reopening each morning. They are attractive in fall and winter as well, developing interesting cones loaded with red fruits. The fruits attract many types of birds, particularly Grossbeaks. These plants are becoming increasingly scarce in the northern parts of their range, making them valuable to native plant enthusiasts in the Northeast. The wood, bark, leaves, and flowers have been used medicinally by Indigenous Peoples. Pollinators and humans alike will be dazzled by the sweet scent and gorgeous flowers of Sweetbay Magnolia!

Cultivation Details: While there are numerous cultivars of this plant, we offer the straight species. These trees are semi-deciduous. In Zones 5 and 6 they often lose their leaves during the winter, however they usually retain them in Zones 7 and up. The trees on our farm, which are protected from harsh winter winds, often lose all but a few leaves each winter. Plants in Zones 5 and 6 benefit from protection against harsh winter winds. Plants fully exposed in those areas may suffer extensive damage. Consider planting Sweetbay Magnolia along fences, hedgerows, or property borders, especially if these areas are near waterways. The plant may also be grown as a specimen in average garden settings. These plants tolerate partial shade, and thrive in acidic, wet soils, making them ideal for hard-to-fill spaces. These trees are an excellent choice for replacing or complimenting Spring-blooming Asian Magnolia species with long-lasting native Summer blooms. The roots of this species are fragile and prone to snapping, so transplanting should be done during rainy weather in Early Spring. This plant may be suitable for Bonsai cultivation.

Growing Requirements: Plant in full to part sun. Plants with too much shade may produce fewer flowers. Prefers moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates boggy and wet conditions. Prefers acidic to neutral conditions. Does not tolerate alkaline soils unless amended with a deep layer of organic matter.

Fun Facts: This plant is sometimes described as a “living fossil” and is adapted to pollination by Beetles – Bees evolved long after Magnolias! This was the first species described under the rules of modern botanical nomenclature. Having the most basic characteristics common to other members of this genus, Sweetbay Magnolia is described as being the type species of Magnolia, which itself is the type genus of all flowering plants.