12 Magnolia Flowers Every Southerner Should Know
There are countless magnolia species, and we love them all.
Think you know magnolias? Think again. There are countless magnolia species, each with beautiful, distinctive blooms, and we love them all. From the bigleaf magnolia to the saucer magnolia and every variety in between, we dream of seeing their flowers and enjoying their sweet fragrance in our gardens.
Do you know how to identify all the different magnolia blooms you see? Most of us can pick out a classic Southern magnolia, as its creamy blooms are ubiquitous across the region. However, others are rarer. Can you distinguish between a lily magnolia and a saucer magnolia? How about a star magnolia and a Loebner magnolia? Some are trickier than others, but with some practice, you'll be a magnolia expert in no time.
Browse these magnolia blooms and see how many you recognize from the gardens in your area.
Related: How To Grow And Care For Magnolia Trees
Bigleaf Magnolia
Botanical Name: Magnolia macrophylla
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Loamy, sandy, moist, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (5.0-7.0)
The blooms of bigleaf magnolia are white, with long flower segments often spotted with red. In some instances, subtle pinkish-purple hues are present throughout the petals, while in other cases, you can find streaks of deep purplish red near the base of the flower, where the petals meet the stamen. As hinted by their name, these native magnolias have giant oblong leaves that can grow anywhere from 12- to 36-inches long. This deciduous tree grows 30-40 feet tall and wide and can be planted in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5 to 8.
Cucumber Tree
Botanical Name: Magnolia acuminata
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Loamy, moist, rich, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (5.0-6.8)
This magnolia tree can grow to heights of 60 to 80 feet tall, and in the summer, it produces flowers in shades of yellow and yellow-green. 'Brenas' has deep yellow flowers, 'Koban Dori' is canary yellow, and M. acuminata subcordata has big flowers with a lemony fragrance. These deciduous native trees are mainly grown for foliage rather than flowers, which typically blend in. Somewhat sensitive to heat, it's planted in Zones 4 to 8.
Tips
Cucumber trees are sensitive to drought, soil compaction, and pollution. They make beautiful shade trees in a park or on a farm.
Lily Magnolia
Botanical Name: Magnolia liliiflora
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Loamy, moist, rich, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (5.0-7.0)
This magnolia's common name—as well as its scientific name, M. lilliflora—speaks to the tree's graceful, tulip-shaped, lily-like blooms, which have elongated petals that are purplish on the exterior and creamy white on the interior. 'Gracilis' and 'O'Neill' have purple-and-pink blooms. The showy flowers often open before the tree leaves out in spring. Lily magnolia has a shrubby form that grows slowly to 12 feet tall and wide, and it can be planted in Zones 5 to 8.
Loebner Magnolia
Botanical Name: Magnolia × loebneri
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Loamy, rich, well-drained, moist
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (5.0-7.0)
The flowers of the deciduous Loebner magnolia resemble those of the star magnolia. However, these blooms are spaced farther apart on the tree, and their flower segments, shaped like straps, are even longer and broader than those of M. stellata. 'Ballerina' is blush pink and fragrant, while 'Merrill' has white blossoms. This tree blooms in late winter or early spring on bare branches and grows to 20 or 30 feet. A late frost can damage the flowers. Grow it in Zones 5 to 9.
Oyama Magnolia
Botanical Name: Magnolia sieboldii
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Loamy, moist, rich, well-drained
Soil pH: Slightly acidic (5.5-6.5)
A compact deciduous magnolia species, M. sieboldii bears white, fragrant, cup-shaped flowers and striking crimson-and-gold or crimson-and-green stamens in late spring and summer. Following the flowers, pink oval-shaped fruits appear, which open up in the fall to reveal striking orange and red seeds. 'Harold Epstein' and 'Michiko Regne' produce semi-double blooms. The tree grows 10 to 20 feet tall and has gold color in fall. Plant in Zones 6 to 8.
Saucer Magnolia
Botanical Name: Magnolia x soulangeana
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Moist, rich, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (5.0-6.2)
Also known as "tulip trees" and "Chinese magnolias," these magnolia trees produce fragrant, rounded, cup-shaped blooms in shades of white, pink, and purple. They bloom from late winter to spring, often before the deciduous foliage emerges. 'Alexandrina' produces blooms with white centers and purple exteriors, 'Lilliputian' has pink and white flowers, and 'Rustica Rubra' has huge reddish-purple blossoms. The trees grow 15 to 30 feet tall and can be planted in Zones 4-9.
Southern Magnolia
Botanical Name: Magnolia grandiflora
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Moist, rich, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (5.0 to 6.0)
This evergreen magnolia, also known as the Southern magnolia, can be identified by its thick, glossy leaves and big, fragrant, snow-white blossoms. It blooms in summer and is the state flower of Mississippi and Louisiana. Southern magnolias can grow to 60 or 80 feet tall, but there are compact cultivars like 'Little Gem' and 'Teddy Bear' for smaller gardens. This iconic and stately tree can be grown in Zones 6-10.
Star Magnolia
Botanical Name: Magnolia stellata
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Moist, rich, well-drained, loamy
Soil pH: Acidic (5.0 to 6.0)
This magnolia species produces distinctive blooms with clusters of long petals in late winter or early spring. Star magnolia is smaller, reaching heights of up to 15 to 20 feet and widths of around 10 to 15 feet when fully grown. Due to its size, this variation can be grown as a larger shrub or a smaller tree. 'Centennial' has white blossoms, 'Jane Platt' blooms rosy pink, and 'Water Lily' produces pink buds and fragrant white flowers. They can be grown in Zones 4-8.
Quick Tip
Star magnolia is one of the earliest bloomers, which means the flowers can be damaged by frost. Plant it in a protected site away from cold winds. Avoid a Southern exposure, which can cause flowers to open too early.
Sweetbay Magnolia
Botanical Name: Magnolia virginiana
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Moist to wet, rich
Soil pH: Acidic (5.5-6.5)
Another magnolia native to the South and up the coast to New York, sweetbay magnolia is a smaller and more cold-hardy look-alike of its close relative, M. grandiflora. It has creamy white flowers and glossy dark green leaves. Because many varieties only grow 10 to 25 feet high and wide, it is an excellent selection for patios and borders. This tree is evergreen in mild coastal climates and deciduous in places with colder winters.
Umbrella Magnolia
Botanical Name: Magnolia tripetala
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Moist, rich, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (4.5-6.5)
The flowers of umbrella magnolias have red seedpods, purple stamens, and distinctive flower segments tinged with a greenish-yellow hue. They grow large—up to 10 inches across—and are deeply fragrant. The long leaves circle the stem like the spokes of an umbrella. This deciduous tree usually grows to 30 feet tall and can be found in the Appalachian and Blue Ridge mountains. It can tolerate full sun in cooler climates when planted in moist soil. Grow it in Zones 5-8.
Yulan Magnolia
Botanical Name: Magnolia denudata
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Moist, rich, well-drained, loamy
Soil pH: Acidic (5.0-6.5)
This magnolia species bears fragrant white blooms that are upright and shaped like tulips and appear before the leaves. The flowers often have a purplish tint where the bloom meets its stem. 'Double Diamond' is a selection with a heavier overall bloom than the rest, making it a beautiful and dramatic planting choice. The tree or multi-stemmed shrub can grow to 30 feet tall in Zones 6.8.
Anise Magnolia
TonyBaggett/Getty Images
Botanical Name: Magnolia x kewensis
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Moist, rich, well-drained
Soil pH: Slightly acidic (5.5-6.5)
The selection 'Wada's Memory' is a popular cross between M. kobus and M. salicifolia, the anise magnolia. The wide, snow-white petals open downward and have a light orange-blossom scent. Flowers are 7 inches wide. This tree has an upright, pyramidal shape and grows to about 25 feet. It can be used along a street or driveway and grown in Zones 5-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are magnolias perennial or annual plants?
The Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is a perennial tree that blooms in spring and summer. These trees are native to the Southeastern United States and grow 60 to 80 feet tall.
Do magnolias like sun or shade?
Magnolia trees thrive in full sun or partial shade. In arid climates, magnolias benefit from afternoon shade. Avoid strong winds that can break brittle branches or large blooms.
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