This large, stately, native North American evergreen tree with its large, beautiful, saucer-shaped, fragrant flowers is almost a Southern landscape tradition. It has been selected as the state tree of Mississippi. Capable of growing at a moderate rate to a height of 80 feet or more with a 30 to 40-foot spread, Southern Magnolia forms a dense (more open in the shade), dark green pyramidal shape, the lower branches often bending to the ground. However, form and growth rate on seedlings is incredibly variable. Some are dense and make great screens, others are very open with large spaces between branches; some have a narrow, almost columnar form, others are as wide as they are tall. Select from the many available cultivars to ensure the desired shape and density. The trunk on large specimens can grow to more than three feet in diameter, and frequently grows straight up through the center of the crown. Branches are typically numerous and small in diameter. Remove those few branches which occasionally form weak, tight crotches.

Scientific name: Magnolia grandiflora
Pronunciation: mag-NO-lee-uh gran-dih-FLOR-uh
Common name(s): Southern Magnolia

Fact sheet: Magnolia

Planted in Nassau County Extension Demonstration Garden

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