Magnolia grandiflora

🌸 Technical Sheet: Magnolia grandiflora

Common name: Magnolia, Southern Magnolia, Bull Bay
Scientific name: Magnolia grandiflora
Family: Magnoliaceae
Origin: Southeastern United States

🌿 General description

Magnolia grandiflora is a large evergreen ornamental tree, highly valued for its spectacular white flowers, glossy foliage, and majestic appearance. It grows slowly but lives long, making it ideal for spacious gardens and open areas.

📏 Size

Height: Up to 25–30 meters under optimal conditions
Crown spread: 10–15 meters
Growth rate: Slow

🌸 Flowers

Blooming season: Spring and summer (may continue sporadically into early autumn)
Color: Creamy white
Size: Up to 20–30 cm in diameter
Fragrance: Strong, sweet, and pleasant

🍃 Leaves

Type: Evergreen
Color: Dark glossy green on the upper side, rusty brown underneath
Size: 12–25 cm long
Texture: Leathery and thick

🌱 Growing conditions

Light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Acidic, fertile, deep, and well-drained
Watering: Regular, especially in dry periods or during early growth
Cold tolerance: Moderate; tolerates light frosts
Pruning: Rarely needed; can be done to shape or remove dead branches

🐝 Uses and benefits

A premium ornamental tree for gardens, parks, and avenues
Its flowers attract bees and pollinators
Culturally significant in the southern U.S.
Provides dense shade and enhances landscape value

⚠️ Notes

Avoid calcareous soils to prevent chlorosis
Does not transplant well once mature
Has deep, wide-spreading roots—plant away from buildings