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Sweetbay Magnolia Wikimedia Commons
Magnoliaceae

Sweetbay Magnolia

Magnolia virginiana

Coastal grace and gentle perseverance.

Family
Magnoliaceae
Genus
Magnolia
Native to
eastern United States
Bloom season
Late Spring, Summer
Type
semi-evergreen tree
Height
6–18 m
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
moist to wet, acidic
Water
high
Hardiness
5–10
Lifespan
long-lived tree

Did you know

  • It was the first magnolia introduced to Europe, brought to England in 1688 by missionary John Banister.
  • The undersides of the leaves are silver-white, giving the canopy a shimmer in any breeze.
  • Unlike its cousin southern magnolia, it tolerates standing water and grows in coastal swamps.
  • Each lemon-scented flower lasts only 2–3 days but a tree opens flowers continuously for over a month.
  • Linnaeus named it from Banister's specimens, making it the type species for the entire magnolia genus.

Color meanings

White

pure quiet promise

Cream

soft southern welcome

Uses

  • wet site landscaping
  • rain gardens
  • fragrant ornamental trees
  • wildlife habitat