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Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora
Photo courtesy of Mississippi State Web Site.
There are at least l00 species, from East Asia to the Americas, which share the genus name of Magnolia, but the one most familiar to most of us, and the one which is truly an emblem of the South, is Magnolia grandiflora. This is an evergreen tree native to stream and river beds in East Texas and the South which is large in every respect, towering from 60 to 80 feet in height, with leaves that can be as much as a foot in length. The cup-shaped white or cream colored blooms may reach fourteen inches across and are followed by rusty brown cones studded with bright red seeds. Fragrance of the southern magnolia (also known as bull bay) is legendary, and has been described as being as strong as that of jasmine or tuberose, but more delightful.
As suburban yards and landscapes become smaller, larger sizes of magnolias become difficult to fit into the available space. Smaller cultivars of M. grandiflora can be popular substitutes. Little Gem is a particularly good choice for a smaller garden space. In 15 years it may reach 12 feet in height, and has the added bonus of flowering at a much younger age. The underside of the leaves of Little Gem are covered with a soft, furry brown growth of hairs called indumentum. Growth is narrow and upright, and its leaves and blooms are correspondingly smaller than the standard varieties.
The Southern Magnolia will perform best in loose, acid soils and may appear stunted or be short-lived on heavy, poorly drained ground. Oftentimes in more alkaline areas magnolias will do well for a number of years until roots reach the compacted substrate soil, then decline. They do best in full sun. When situated in partial shade there will be fewer blooms. My experience is that magnolias should be planted only in areas that have deep soils that are acid and are, at least, neutral in pH. Numerous problems occur when attempts are made to grow them in other areas.
When planning to use a magnolia in the landscape, it is good to take into consideration the fact that grass will do poorly underneath, and that there will be considerable leaf litter during the spring when the majority of leaves are shed. Many homeowners become concerned at this time because the plant looks unthrifty, and leaves droop before finally being shed, but this is a normal process. Leaving lower branches in place will help to minimize the messiness of fallen leaves and cones. Magnolias are sometimes troubled by beetle attacks which damage or kill the ends of branches and cause unsightly dieback through the tree.
Southern Magnolia Trees... The trees are between 12" and 24" tall when shipped... And shipped Bare Root...
Shipping and planting times are winter and spring months. Please choose from following months: November thru April. But we will make exceptions with limited warranties due to heat during shipping.
And, any tree shipped during normal green and growth months ... which is May through October is going to arrive with brown, burned leaves. They will recover and go green again, but they are going to look dead on arrival.
PRICING AS FOLLOWS:
2 Southern Magnolia Trees = $12.95 plus $9.50 s/h.
10 Southern Magnolia Trees = $33.95 plus $12.50 s/h.
25 Southern Magnolia Trees = $49.95 plus $20.00 s/h.
50 Southern Magnolia Trees = $89.95 plus $25.00 s/h.
100 Southern Magnolia Trees = $178.00 plus $32.50 s/h.
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If you have any questions, please send email
to jlsutton@apex.net. |
