Discover 10 magnolia tree varieties—classic and new—that offer beauty, fragrance, and wildlife benefits for gardens across the U.S.
With their large, cup- or star-shaped flowers and often intoxicating fragrance, magnolias are some of the showiest and romantic of our flowering trees. They can support wildlife and pollinators including beetles, bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Here are 10 of the best magnolia tree varieties to grow, wherever you garden.
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Courtesy Mary Bennett
Star Magnolia
Magnolia stellata, Zones 4 to 8
Size: 15 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide
This compact bloomer is loved for its profusion of fragrant, star-shaped flowers. Grow as a multi-stemmed shrub, a single-trunked tree, or massed as a deciduous hedge. The best spot is in full sun to part shade, but out of high winds and avoiding southern exposures, which can encourage buds to open early and be nipped by frost. Scale insects can be a pest of this, saucer and some other magnolia hybrids.
Why we love it: It’s stunning against a dark wall or evergreen backdrop.
The most popular deciduous magnolia, this showstopper may be grown as a tree or a (very) large shrub with multiple stems. The flowers are a unique mauve pink with white centers blooming in early spring. While they aren’t prone to many pests or diseases, scale or frost damage can be an occasional issue.
Why we love it: Magnolia flowers are one of the most awaited — and most beautiful — signs of early spring. Because they flower before their leaves emerge, they make an even better show.
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Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora, Zones 7 to 9
Size: 60 to 80 feet tall and 30 to 50 feet wide
This Southern classic is no wallflower – it needs space to shine. The evergreen leaves shine in glossy dark green with a sage green to taupe reverse. The flowers are powerfully fragrant and reach 8 to 12 inches across. For colder zones, seek out cultivar ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’ – it is hardy down to Zone 5.
Why we love it: The flowers open in late spring, with some repeat through the summer, and transform into uniquely striking red cone-shaped seed heads. The seeds feed an array of wildlife, from songbirds, quail and turkey to squirrels.
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‘Lois’ Magnolia
Magnolia ‘Lois,’ Magnolia acuminata x (Magnolia acuminata x Magnolia denudata), Zones 4 to 9
Size: 25 to 30 feet tall and 20 to 25 feet wide
This magnolia sets itself apart with luminous yellow flowers that glow like lanterns from a distance. ‘Lois’ was bred and introduced by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Why we love it: Flowering a little later than M. stellata and M. x soulangeana, Lois’ flowers are less likely to succumb to early frosts – a common issue with deciduous magnolias.
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Banana Shrub/Port Wine Magnolia
Magnolia figo var. crassipes, Zones 7 to 10
Size: 8 to 15 feet tall and 4 to 8 feet wide
An evergreen magnolia tree with sultry, maroon blooms bearing a sweet banana-scented fragrance. Densest growth is in full sun, and it will thrive best when protected from cold, drying winds.
Why we love it: A sophisticated choice for providing winter structure in smaller spaces, it blooms abundantly and may repeat bloom across the summer.
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Agne Griciunaite/Getty Images ‘Fairy Cream’
Magnolia Fairy series
M. figo x (M. doltsopa x M. yuyuanensis) ‘Fairy Cream,’ ‘Fairy Blush,‘ and ‘Fairy White,’ Zones 7b to 11b
Size: 9 to 12 feet tall and 5 to 7 feet wide
This series expands options for evergreen magnolias that can fit in compact and urban gardens, flowering in cream, pink, and white, respectively. They tend to be shrubby in habit.
Why we love it: You couldn’t ask for a more elegant flowering hedge.
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Sweetbay Magnolia
Magnolia virginiana, Zones 5 to 9
Size: 10 to 20 feet tall and wide, larger in the South
This native magnolia tree may be evergreen in the south and deciduous in the northern regions of its hardiness zone. The creamy white flowers delight with their lemon scent.
Why we love it: Sweetbay magnolia tolerates wetter soil than some magnolias, even tolerating occasional flooding, making it a great choice near ponds or waterways.
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‘Genie’ Magnolia
Magnolia x ‘Genie’ , Zones 4 to 9
Size: 10 to 13 feet tall and 5 feet wide
Deep raspberry buds open to rose-pink flowers that persist well on the branch. Flowers tend to repeat bloom into the summer.
Why we love it: This magnolia is billed as both deer- and rabbit-resistant.
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Wei-Chou Chen/Getty Images
Southern Magnolia ‘Teddy Bear’
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Teddy Bear’, Zones 7 to 9
Size: Up to 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide
This petite Southern magnolia has a special twist. Its evergreen leaves have gorgeous red-brown undersides, prized for wreaths and arrangements. It’s 6-inch flowers bear a lemony scent. Its favored conditions are deep, nutrient-rich, acidic, well-draining soil. Once established, it can tolerate occasional dry spells.
Why we love it: The upright form is ideal as a formal accent, screening, hedge, or for lining a driveway.
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Bigleaf Magnolia
Magnolia macrophylla, Zones 5 to 8
Size: 20 to 40 feet tall and wide
Although this is considered a medium-size magnolia tree at 20 to 40 feet, it has the largest leaves and flowers of any North American deciduous species. The leaves grow up to 3 feet long and are green on top but have fuzzy silver-gray undersides. Because of the leaves’ size, strong winds might damage them, so plant the tree in a sheltered location in sun or partial shade.
Why we love it: Take a sniff! Fragrant white flowers are 8- to 12-inches across and pop in early summer. An up-close look reveals beautiful purple centers.
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