Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora · Evergreen, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Magnoliaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental, Shade Tree, Flowering, Evergreen
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (often grown from seed, displaying multi-stemmed shrubby form)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 9, adapting well to humid subtropical climates with mild winters and warm summers.
About This Tree
A magnificent large evergreen tree typically featuring a dense, pyramidal to rounded crown. This specific specimen displays a multi-stemmed, shrubby, low-branching growth habit with lustrous dark green leaves and large, fragrant white flowers.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, leathery leaves ranging from 5 to 10 inches long, oblong to elliptic in shape with smooth margins, glossy dark green upper surfaces, and often brownish-pubescent undersides.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth and gray when young, becoming dark gray and slightly furrowed or scaly with small plates on older trunks and branches.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Southeastern United States, from coastal North Carolina to central Florida and west to East Texas.
Growing Season
Evergreen with year-round foliage; heavy bloom period occurs in late spring and continues intermittently through summer; fruits mature in autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun to partial shade. Requires regular watering when young to establish a deep root system; exhibits moderate drought tolerance once established, preferring moist, organic, well-draining acidic soils.
Mature Size
Typically reaches 60 to 80 feet in height with a 30 to 50 foot spread, though multi-stemmed varieties can remain bushier and slightly shorter. Moderate growth rate with a long lifespan exceeding 100 years.
Special Characteristics
Renowned for its large, highly fragrant white cup-shaped flowers up to a foot across, glossy evergreen foliage, and dense canopy providing excellent year-round privacy and shade.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides crucial cover and nesting sites for various bird species. Flowers attract pollinators like beetles, and the large aggregate cones produce red seeds consumed by songbirds, wild turkeys, squirrels, and small mammals.