Magnolia virginiana

Sweetbay Magnolia, Laurel Magnolia, or Swamp Magnolia
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Average mature size of 10-20' tall and wide in the northern part of its range, up to 60' tall and wide in the southern part of its range. Medium to fast growth rate.

Native Range

Kentucky Native — Introduced 1688. Massachusetts to Florida, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas near the coast in swampy soils.

Flower and Fruit Details

Flowers are creamy white, lemon-scented, 2-3" diameter, 9-12 petals, May-June. Fruits are aggregate of follicles, 2" long, dark red, very handsome where the bright red seeds are exposed.

Leaf and Bark Features

Semi-Evergreen: Leaves are medium to dark green and shiny above, glaucous silvery-green beneath. Deciduous from Zone 6 and colder, fall color yellow to yellow-brown. Can be evergreen from Zone 7 and warmer.

Culture and Care

Requires acidic soil, does well in wet and even swampy soils. Tolerates shade. Seems to grow best in warm climates. Zones 5-9. No serious disease or insect problems, occasionally leaf miner.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

Really a beautiful plant, especially when the sweet-scented flowers are opening.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA

The following taxa are (or were) represented in the collections at Boone County Arboretum. Additional taxa may be available in the trade that are not included here.

  • Magnolia virginiana // Sweetbay Magnolia, Laurel Magnolia, or Swamp Magnolia ("straight species")
    Tree.
    BT000540 - BT000560 - BT000570

  • Magnolia virginiana 'MVHH' // Green Mile™ Sweetbay Magnolia
    Tree.
    BT001909

  • Magnolia virginiana 'Northern Belle' // Northern Belle Sweetbay Magnolia
    Tree. This is the most cold-hardy cultivar (to Zone 4), and has semi-evergreen foliage in colder climates than would be typical for the species. Easy to keep as a single-stemmed tree.
    BT001126 - BT001127 - BT001128

  • Magnolia virginiana var. glauca // Sweetbay Magnolia (glauca variety)
    Tree. On this particular variety, the leaf undersides are even more silvery than the straight-species form.
    BT001056

  • Magnolia virginiana var. ludoviciana (unofficial name) // Sweetbay Magnolia (unofficially "var. ludoviciana")
    Tree.
    BT001446 - BT001447

  • Magnolia virginiana var. virginiana (Bethel Springs, TN) // Sweetbay Magnolia (Bethel Springs, TN Provenance)
    Tree.
    BT001523 - BT001524

  • Magnolia virginiana var. virginiana (Charleston County, SC) // Sweetbay Magnolia (Charleston County, SC Provenance)
    Tree.
    BT001445 - BT001452 - BT001453

  • Magnolia virginiana var. virginiana (Essex County, MA) // Sweetbay Magnolia (Essex County, MA Provenance)
    Tree.
    BT001448 - BT001451

  • Magnolia virginiana var. virginiana (Polk County, NC) // Sweetbay Magnolia (Polk County, NC Provenance)
    Tree.
    BT001449