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Magnolia grandiflora

Magnolia grandiflora

Southern magnolia, evergreen magnolia, bull-bay, big-laurel, large-flower magnolia

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Description

Magnolia grandiflora (southern magnolia) is an evergreen magnolia that comes from the forests of the south-eastern United States. It grows here as undergrowth of Liriodendron tulipifera, Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus falcata and Carya tomentosa. Across the world - in temperate climates - this magnolia can be found as a popular ornamental tree. It grows at a moderate rate and forms a pyramidal crown fifteen to twenty-five metres tall and twelve to fifteen metres wide, ultimately becoming broadly egg-shaped.

Magnolia grandiflora is well known for its incomparable large evergreen leaves, which are glossy dark green and have a rusty underside. The southern magnolia refreshes its leaves throughout the year and these only slowly decompose on the ground. The spectacular large, white, tulip-shaped flowers appear in June and July and have a delightful scent, especially on warm summer evenings. Likewise, they are followed by large, conical pink fruits, full of red seeds. The bark of the southern magnolia is often not noticeable because of the evergreen foliage but is smooth and an attractive grey to grey-brown colour, and has a kind of elephant skin texture as it matures.

Magnolia grandiflora often grows in shady spots in its native habitat. Once the tree has developed a good root system, it is resistant to drought and heat thanks to its deep taproot. The most beautiful specimens occur in damp, rich soils where it can develop deep roots - in full sun to partial shade. The southern magnolia can be pruned to shape and makes a very lovely evergreen addition for gardens and parks, and even when planted in the shade of buildings. Something to bear in mind is that Magnolia grandiflora requires a reasonably sheltered site.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees half-stem trees feathered trees multi-stemmed trees solitary shrubs

Use

Location

park central reservation in containers large garden cemetery

Pavement

none none open open

Planting concepts

shade-tolerant prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

wide egg-shaped wide egg-shaped wide pyramidal wide pyramidal

Crown structure

dense dense

Height

15 - 25 m

Width

12 - 15 m

Winter hardiness zone

7A - 10B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade shade

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Magnolia grandiflora? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Magnolia grandiflora standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Magnolia grandiflora standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Magnolia grandiflora standard tree
feathered feathered
Magnolia grandiflora feathered
feathered feathered
Magnolia grandiflora feathered
shrub solitary shrubs
Magnolia grandiflora solitary shrubs
shrub solitary shrubs
Magnolia grandiflora solitary shrubs
espalier-stem espalier
Magnolia grandiflora espalier
espalier espalier
Magnolia grandiflora espalier
flowers flowers
Magnolia grandiflora flowers
flowers flowers
Magnolia grandiflora flowers
flowers flowers
Magnolia grandiflora flowers
flowers flowers
Magnolia grandiflora flowers
flowers flowers
Magnolia grandiflora flowers
flowers flowers
Magnolia grandiflora flowers
leaves leaves
Magnolia grandiflora leaves
leaves leaves
Magnolia grandiflora leaves
leaves leaves
Magnolia grandiflora leaves
leaves leaves
Magnolia grandiflora leaves
leaves leaves
Magnolia grandiflora leaves
leaves leaves
Magnolia grandiflora leaves
leaves leaves
Magnolia grandiflora leaves
leaves leaves
Magnolia grandiflora leaves
fruits fruits
Magnolia grandiflora fruits
fruits fruits
Magnolia grandiflora fruits
fruits fruits
Magnolia grandiflora fruits
fruits fruits
Magnolia grandiflora fruits
fruits fruits
Magnolia grandiflora fruits
fruits fruits
Magnolia grandiflora fruits
fruits fruits
Magnolia grandiflora fruits
fruits fruits
Magnolia grandiflora fruits
fruits fruits
Magnolia grandiflora fruits
fruits fruits
Magnolia grandiflora fruits
bark bark
Magnolia grandiflora bark
twigs twigs
Magnolia grandiflora twigs

Seasonal colours

Magnolia grandiflora seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

tulip-shaped striking standing singular big scented

Flower colour

white

Flowering period

June - July

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green underside brown

Leaves

evergreen ovoid big leathery polished underside hairy

Fruits

Fruit colour

orange

Fruits

striking large cones

Bark

Bark colour

grey grey-black

Bark

smooth

Twigs

Twig colour

grey-brown

Twigs

bare vertical branches long shoots

Root system

Root system

deep extensive highly branched coarse roots fleshy roots tap root

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Location
OK
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OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
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m
OK
Width
m
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m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
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Autumn colour
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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MVO-Nederland
ISO-9001
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British Asssociation of Landscape Industries

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