Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora
Few trees bridge architecture and ecology as gracefully as the southern magnolia. Its naturally pyramidal frame gives excellent screening to multi-story homes, and the evergreen foliage provides year-round interest when most landscapes go bare. Late spring brings large, creamy blooms with a clean citrus fragrance, followed by ornamental cones that offer wildlife value without the mess of other trees.
Ensure your site of choice has adequate drainage and plenty of room for a mature southern magnolia—these beauties can reach 90 feet tall! Leave the lower limbs if screening is desired, or prune up carefully over time where clearance is needed. A wide cultivar palette lets us further tailor the tree’s form and leaf character to the needs of your landscape.
Pros
- Evergreen screening and privacy with dense, ground-hugging foliage year-round
- Cultivars like D. D. Blanchard and Claudia Wannamaker tailor the tree to your landscape
Considerations
- Needs ample space; mature specimens may exceed 90 ft. tall
- Expect little to no turf under the canopy
