Some Helpful Information About Magnolia Trees

When you think about magnolia trees, you might picture a long, winding lane lined with tall, flowering trees leading up to a gracious southern manor. However, while some magnolia trees do grow very large, you don't have to own a huge piece of property in order to enjoy magnolias in your own yard. 

There are actually more than 100 species of magnolia trees within the magnolia genus, but before you select a variety to plant in your yard, it is important to think about your location and climate. There are magnolia trees suitable for many USDA hardiness zones, even in areas with colder winters, such as Zone 4 or Zone 5. However, typically, magnolias thrive in Zones 6 through 9. 

Magnolia trees grow well when exposed to full sun, but they also can grow well in an area with partial shade. This is especially true if your climate tends to be very hot or dry. When it comes to soil, these trees do best in moist, slightly acid soil. At Plant Me Green, we provide planting and care information on our website for each variety of magnolia tree. 

At Plant Me Green, we sell several different varieties of magnolia trees including the Ann Magnolia, the Magnolia Alexandrina, the Bracken’s Brown Beauty Magnolia, the Little Gem Magnolia and the D.D. Blanchard Magnolia. 

The Ann Magnolia is a variety of Japanese magnolia a deciduous shrub that can grow to about 10 feet in height and spread. It features beautiful, deep purplish red blooms that appear almost tulip-like. The Ann Magnolia is part of a set of eight dwarf magnolia trees developed by botanists at the U.S. Arboretum. These magnolia trees do well in USDA Zones 4 through 9 and should be planted in well-drained, fertile soil. These do well in full sun to partial shade. 

The Magnolia Alexandrina trees are also Japanese magnolias and deciduous magnolia trees that also feature lovely purple-pink flowers. These magnolia trees also are known as saucer magnolias. The flowers bloom in late winter to early spring, and the Alexandrina can grow as large as 25 feet in height with a spread of up to 25 feet. This magnolia tree does well in USDA Zones 5 through 9, and the tree does not respond well to soil extremes. 

If you prefer evergreen magnolia trees or Southern magnolias, there are several excellent options to consider. The Bracken’s Brown Beauty displays lush dark green foliage and large fragrant white flowers that can be as large as six inches in size. These magnolia trees can reach heights of 30 feet or higher with up to about a 25-foot spread. It is suitable for USDA Zones 5 through 9 and should be planted in an area with full sun to partial shade. These magnolia trees need between 40 to 80 inches of water per year. 

Another evergreen magnolia tree to consider is the Little Gem, an excellent choice for someone who prefers or needs smaller magnolia trees. The Little Gem Magnolia is known for its abundance of fragrant white blooms that flower for as many as six months of the year. These tend to grow no higher than 25 feet with a spread of up to 12 feet. These Little Gem Magnolia trees are best suited to USDA Zones 7 through 10. 

The D.D. Blanchard Magnolia is yet another option for evergreen lovers, and this stunning tree features deep green leaves with brownish-bronze undersides and creamy white flowers which bloom in the spring and again during the summer. These do grow quite large, up to a height of up to 60 feet and perhaps a 40-foot spread so they are best in a larger yard. While these can grow in USDA Zones 4 through 10, they are best suited to zones 7 through 10. These are also are salt-water tolerant magnolia trees. 

If you have any questions about our magnolia trees, give us a call or send us an email. Aside from magnolia trees, we sell a huge variety of trees and flowering plants, including pecan trees, crape myrtles, roses, fruit trees and much more.