Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora
The Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is grown for its intoxicating and showy white flowers and handsome, glossy evergreen foliage. It is a large, stately evergreen tree that is useful in defining the edges of larger landscapes and can be used as a specimen. The large, leathery leaves are slow to decompose and it is hard to grow other plants underneath Southern Magnolias. Plants are drought tolerant once established but trees growing in urban environments where they get reflected heat from pavement or buildings may require supplemental water.
Plant Characteristics
Height: 30 to 100 feet
Spread: 20 to 50 feet
Native Range: Native to woodlands and wet hardwood hammocks throughout north and central Florida.
Leaves: Large leathery leaves that are dark green and glossy. Some plants have cinnamon-colored undersides of the leaves that are attractive to showy.
Flowers: White flowers to 12 inches across. Fragrant.
Fruit: Red seeds are showy in the Autumn and occur on fuzzy brown cone-like structures. Birds eat the seeds.
Bark: Southern Magnolias have smooth gray bark.
Culture
Soil: Prefers rich moist soil with a pH range between 4.5-6.5. Tolerates some salt.
Water: Prefers well-drained, moist sites. Survives in most situations without supplemental moisture.
Exposure: Full sun is best. Tolerates part-shade. Does not grow well in deep shade.
Pests: Scale and Mealybugs
Additional Information:
There are several different cultivated varieties available in Florida nurseries.
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