Plant Library

Other Names:  Swamp Magnolia, Laurel Magnolia

Description:

A medium sized tree with fragrant cup-shaped flowers in late spring, and then sporadically throughout summer; withstands lower winter temperatures, semi-evergreen; narrow habit makes it a wonderful accent in smaller home landscapes

Ornamental Features

Moonglow Sweetbay Magnolia features bold fragrant creamy white cup-shaped flowers held atop the branches from mid spring to early summer. It has dark green foliage with silver undersides. The glossy pointy leaves turn yellow in fall.

Landscape Attributes

Moonglow Sweetbay Magnolia is a multi-stemmed deciduous tree with a shapely oval form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Moonglow Sweetbay Magnolia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Vertical Accent

Planting & Growing

Moonglow Sweetbay Magnolia will grow to be about 35 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This tree performs well in both full sun and full shade. It prefers to grow in moist to wet soil, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.