Bracken's Brown Beauty magnolia

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; flowering and crown density are best with plenty of sun. Shelter from cold, drying winds.

Water

Water deeply during establishment and prolonged dry spells. Established trees tolerate some drought, but grow best with reasonably consistent soil moisture.

Soil

Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil, preferably acidic to neutral. Avoid waterlogged ground and strongly alkaline soil.

Height

30-50 ft (9-15 m)

Spread

15-30 ft (4.5-9 m)

Flowers

Large, fragrant, creamy-white flowers in late spring and summer, sometimes continuing intermittently into early autumn.

Foliage

Evergreen. Leathery, glossy dark-green leaves with dense cinnamon-brown felt underneath; generally smaller than those of typical southern magnolia. Older leaves drop through the year, especially in spring.

Growth

Moderate once established; slower in cool climates or dry soil.

Care needed

Medium

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen
• Fragrant

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   7 ft (2 m)

2. After 1 year

   8 ft (2.4 m)

3. After 2 years

   9 ft (2.8 m)

4. After 3 years

   10 ft (3.2 m)

5. After 5 years

   13 ft (3.9 m)

About 26 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Native to

the US

Growth rate

Slow

• Plant with the root flare at soil level, allowing enough space for the mature crown.
• Water deeply through the first two growing seasons whenever the root zone begins to dry.
• Spread 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch over the root area, keeping it clear of the trunk.
• Keep lawn and digging away from the shallow roots; leave fallen leaves as mulch where practical.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is poor or a soil test shows a deficiency.
• In colder gardens, choose a sheltered site away from exposed winter winds.

Pruning. Prune only as needed after the main flowering period in summer, removing dead, damaged or crossing branches. Preserve the naturally low branches where space allows, and avoid topping or heavy pruning into old wood.

Spring

Plant when the soil is workable, especially in colder regions, and water the root ball thoroughly.

Mid-spring

Check for winter damage and yellowing leaves; test soil before trying to correct persistent yellowing.

Late spring

Renew mulch and pull weeds by hand rather than cultivating around shallow roots.

Summer

Water young trees deeply during dry weather and make any necessary light pruning cuts after the main bloom.

Autumn

Plant in mild climates while soil remains warm; clear fallen leaves from paths and drains.

Winter

Check young trees after storms and protect recently planted specimens from drying winds in cold sites.

• Use as a specimen in a generous lawn or planting bed where its low branches can remain intact.
• Plant as a tall evergreen screen, allowing for its mature width rather than relying on repeated clipping.
• Set behind camellias and azaleas to provide a dark evergreen backdrop and contrasting leaf texture.
• Place within view of a terrace to enjoy the flowers, but keep it far enough away that leaf litter and spreading roots do not crowd paving.

Garden styles it suits: Southern, Traditional, Grand estate, Formal, Architectural minimal and White garden.

Plant it with: Camellias, Azaleas, Oakleaf hydrangeas, Christmas ferns and Liriope.

Wildlife: Flowers provide pollen for beetles and other visiting insects. Birds and small mammals eat the red-coated seeds, and the dense evergreen crown offers shelter.

• Yellow leaves with green veins: often associated with alkaline soil or root stress; check drainage and soil pH before applying iron treatments.
• Scale insects and sooty mould: inspect twigs and leaf undersides; use a suitable horticultural oil according to the label when treatment is needed.
• Winter leaf scorch: reduce exposure to drying winds, mulch the root area and water before freezing weather if the soil is dry.
• Root decline in wet soil: avoid low, waterlogged sites and correct drainage; do not pile soil or mulch against the trunk.

Southern magnolia is not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, horses or people. Leaves, flowers and seeds are not ordinary food; chewing or swallowing substantial amounts of plant material can still cause stomach upset.

• Little Gem southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem')

  Usually smaller and narrower, with smaller leaves and flowers; mature size and a reliable nursery label help distinguish young plants.

• Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)

  Has thinner leaves with silvery rather than rusty-brown undersides, smaller flowers, and may lose its leaves in cold climates.

• Typical southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

  Usually develops into a larger tree with larger leaves and a less compact crown. Leaf size and brown undersides vary, so a reliable cultivar label is the safest identification.

Magnolia honours the French botanist Pierre Magnol, and grandiflora means large-flowered.

Propagation. Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings under controlled humid conditions or by grafting onto suitable magnolia rootstock; both require some skill. Seedlings do not reliably retain this cultivar's characteristics.

Accepted botanical name

Magnolia grandiflora

In the US and Canada

Native in the lower 48 states. Introduced in Puerto Rico.

Native range

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas.

Measured

Soil pH 4.5 to 6.5. Average height 2450 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.