Butterflies magnolia

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; flowering is usually best in sun. Shelter from strong winds and avoid frost pockets.

Water

Keep the root zone evenly moist, especially during establishment and summer drought; do not leave it waterlogged.

Soil

Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil, preferably slightly acidic to neutral. Avoid shallow, chalky soil and compacted ground.

Height

15-25 ft (4.6-7.6 m)

Spread

10-15 ft (3-4.6 m)

Flowers

Early to mid-spring, usually before the leaves emerge; upright, lightly fragrant, rich yellow flowers. Timing varies with climate.

Foliage

Large, oval green leaves through summer, sometimes turning yellow-brown in autumn.

Growth

Moderate once established; often slow during the first few years.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen
• Fragrant

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

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Fairly tough

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

1. Planting day

   7 ft (2 m)

2. After 1 year

   7 ft (2.2 m)

3. After 2 years

   8 ft (2.3 m)

4. After 3 years

   8 ft (2.5 m)

5. After 5 years

   9 ft (2.8 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

Growth rate

Slow

• Plant with the root flare at soil level, allowing space for the mature crown.
• Water deeply during dry spells for the first two or three growing seasons.
• Spread 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it clear of the trunk.
• Avoid digging, paving or repeatedly walking over the shallow root system.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak or a soil test indicates a deficiency.

Pruning. Little pruning is needed; remove dead, damaged or crossing branches in midsummer, keeping cuts small. Avoid hard pruning or cutting back the crown, and remove any shoots arising below the graft union.

Spring

Plant container-grown trees once the ground is workable, particularly in cold regions.

Spring

Refresh mulch and check soil moisture as buds open and leaves expand.

Late spring

Check new growth for scale insects and remove any shoots growing from below the graft.

Midsummer

Make any necessary light pruning cuts after flowering and leaf expansion.

Summer

Water deeply during prolonged dry weather, including established trees showing drought stress.

Autumn

Plant in mild regions while the soil remains warm; check that winter drainage is adequate.

• Use as a lawn specimen with a broad mulched circle beneath the crown.
• Place against dark evergreen planting so the yellow spring flowers stand out.
• Set near a terrace or path where the flowers can be seen closely, allowing room for the mature branches.
• Combine with low woodland plants and spring bulbs without densely planting around a newly planted tree.

Garden styles it suits: Woodland, English country, Traditional, Romantic rose garden, Japanese and Grand estate.

Plant it with: Hellebores, Snowdrops, Daffodils, Epimediums, Japanese painted ferns and Camellias.

Wildlife: Flowers can provide pollen for beetles and other visiting insects. The leafy crown offers shelter and potential nesting sites for birds.

• Late frost can brown open flowers: choose a sheltered site outside frost pockets; damaged flowers do not recover, but the tree usually does.
• Magnolia scale can cause sticky honeydew and sooty mould: inspect stems and use horticultural oil or a locally approved treatment at the appropriate scale life stage.
• Yellow leaves with green veins can indicate iron deficiency in alkaline soil: test the soil, maintain organic mulch and use a suitable chelated iron treatment if needed.
• Leaf scorch and poor growth can follow drought or root damage: water deeply, mulch and avoid cultivation around the roots; correct poor drainage rather than adding more water to wet soil.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses. No part is generally regarded as poisonous, though this ornamental cultivar has limited specific toxicity data and is not grown for eating.

• Elizabeth magnolia (Magnolia 'Elizabeth')

  Its flowers are generally paler, creamy yellow and may fade almost to cream; 'Butterflies' usually holds a stronger yellow.

• Yellow Bird magnolia (Magnolia 'Yellow Bird')

  It generally flowers later, as the leaves emerge, whereas 'Butterflies' usually displays its yellow flowers on bare branches.

Magnolia honours the French botanist Pierre Magnol, while 'Butterflies' refers to the butterfly-like appearance of the upright yellow flowers.

Propagation. Usually propagated by grafting or budding onto a compatible magnolia rootstock. Softwood cuttings may root under specialist conditions; seed will not reliably produce plants identical to 'Butterflies'.

Accepted botanical name

Magnolia

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