Overview

Transform your outdoor space with the timeless elegance of a Southern Magnolia bare-root tree. This offering includes two bare-root specimens of Magnolia grandiflora, a beloved semi-evergreen tree renowned for its majestic presence and beautiful, aromatic blooms. The Southern Magnolia bare-root tree produces striking, creamy white flowers that release a captivating fragrance, gracing your garden in late spring and early summer. Its broad, glossy green leaves provide year-round visual interest, making it a perfect choice for a stately landscape. Growing at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of 12 to 24 inches per year, this tree gradually develops into a magnificent specimen, adding significant value and beauty to any property. Ideal for USDA hardiness zones 6-10, this robust tree is a true Southern classic.

Our Magnolia grandiflora plant bare-root specimens are carefully prepared for planting, offering an economical and efficient way to establish these iconic trees. A bare-root plant means it arrives with exposed, soil-free roots, ready for immediate planting upon arrival. This method often results in a more vigorous start as the roots quickly establish in their new environment. The image provided illustrates the mature beauty of this species, giving you an exciting glimpse into the future grandeur of your own Southern Magnolia bare-root tree. Each order is meticulously packaged to ensure your bare-root plants arrive in optimal condition, ready to thrive.

Key Benefits

Choosing a Southern Magnolia bare-root tree offers numerous advantages, from its aesthetic appeal to its environmental contributions. These trees are not just beautiful; they are a long-term investment in your landscape, providing enduring charm and a touch of Southern grace.

• Stunning Floral Display: Enjoy large, creamy white flowers that are not only visually striking but also emit a delightful, strong fragrance, creating a sensory experience in your garden during late spring and early summer. The blooms are a hallmark of the Magnolia grandiflora plant.
• Evergreen Foliage: Unlike deciduous trees, the Southern Magnolia retains its lush, glossy green leaves throughout the year, providing continuous beauty and privacy even in winter. This evergreen quality ensures your landscape remains vibrant.
• Architectural Beauty: With its classic pyramidal shape and sturdy trunk, the Southern Magnolia bare-root tree serves as an impressive focal point or a grand addition to any garden design, adding structure and elegance.
• Wildlife Attraction: The large flowers attract pollinators, and the cone-like fruits that follow provide food for various bird species, contributing to local biodiversity. This makes it a great choice for a wildlife-friendly garden.
• Drought Tolerance: Once established, the Magnolia grandiflora plant is remarkably resilient and can tolerate periods of drought, making it a relatively low-maintenance option for many climates.
• Long Lifespan: Southern Magnolias are long-lived trees, often gracing landscapes for decades, becoming cherished heirlooms that can be enjoyed by generations. This makes them an excellent choice for a permanent garden feature.
• Adaptable Growth: While preferring certain conditions, this variety of fragrant magnolia tree can adapt to a range of soil types and urban environments, showing good resilience to various growing conditions.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Successful growth of your Southern Magnolia bare-root tree begins with proper planting and consistent care. These trees thrive with adequate sunlight, well-draining soil, and protection during establishment. When considering bare root plant care, ensure the roots are kept moist until planting and are spread out properly in the planting hole.

Sunlight Requirements: The Southern Magnolia prefers full sun to partial shade. For optimal flowering and dense foliage, aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. While it can tolerate some shade, too much shade can result in sparser growth and fewer blooms. Ensure your chosen planting site provides ample light throughout the day, especially during the morning hours.

Watering: During the first year after planting, regular watering is crucial for establishing your Magnolia grandiflora plant. Water deeply two to three times a week, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Once established, Southern Magnolias are quite drought-tolerant, but they will benefit from supplemental watering during prolonged dry spells, especially in hot climates. A good way to check is to feel the soil; if the top 2-3 inches are dry, it’s time to water.

Soil Type and Drainage: This fragrant magnolia tree thrives in rich, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5-7.0) that is well-draining. Clay soils should be amended with organic matter like compost or pine bark to improve drainage and aeration. Good drainage is paramount to prevent root rot, particularly for a bare root plant care regimen. Raised beds can be beneficial in areas with heavy clay soil.

Temperature Range and Hardiness: The Southern Magnolia bare-root tree is hardy in USDA zones 6-10. This means it can withstand winter temperatures down to -10°F (-23°C). In colder parts of its range (zone 6), some winter protection, such as mulching around the base, may be beneficial for younger trees. It tolerates heat and humidity well, making it a staple in Southern landscapes.

Fertilization: Fertilize your young Magnolia grandiflora plant in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for trees and shrubs. Follow the product instructions for application rates. Once established, Southern Magnolias generally do not require heavy fertilization. An annual application of compost around the base of the tree can provide sufficient nutrients and improve soil structure.

Pruning: Southern Magnolias generally require minimal pruning. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches as needed. If shaping is desired, prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Avoid heavy pruning, as it can disrupt the tree’s natural form and flowering.

Size & Details

This offering includes two Southern Magnolia bare-root tree specimens, ready for planting. Bare-root plants are shipped without soil around their roots, which helps reduce shipping costs and allows for easier handling. Upon arrival, it’s vital to plant them as soon as possible, ensuring the roots remain moist until they are in the ground. The Magnolia grandiflora plant is known for its slow to medium growth rate, typically adding anywhere from 12 to 24 inches in height per year, eventually reaching impressive mature dimensions.

Mature Southern Magnolias can grow to a height of 60-80 feet with a spread of 30-50 feet, developing a dense, pyramidal crown. The large, leathery leaves are typically 5-10 inches long, and the iconic white flowers can be 8-12 inches in diameter, making them a breathtaking sight. These trees are typically long-lived, providing decades of beauty and shade. Understanding proper bare root plant care is essential for a successful start. The hardiness zone for this evergreen magnolia is 6-10, making it suitable for a wide range of climates across the United States. The initial size of the bare-root tree will vary but is optimized for successful transplanting and establishment.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Southern Magnolia bare-root tree get? A: A mature Southern Magnolia can reach heights of 60-80 feet with a spread of 30-50 feet. It grows at a slow to medium rate, typically adding 12-24 inches per year.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Magnolia grandiflora plant is an outdoor tree, best suited for large landscapes where it has ample space to grow to its full mature size. It is not suitable for indoor cultivation.
• Q: How much sunlight does the fragrant magnolia tree need? A: Southern Magnolias prefer full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily) but can tolerate partial shade. More sun generally leads to better flowering and denser foliage.
• Q: What condition will the bare root plant arrive in? A: The plants will arrive as bare-root specimens, meaning they have exposed, soil-free roots. They are carefully packaged to protect the roots during transit and should be planted promptly upon arrival.
• Q: Is this tree easy to care for? A: Once established, the evergreen magnolia is relatively low-maintenance. Young trees require consistent watering and attention to proper planting to ensure establishment, but mature trees are quite resilient.
• Q: When is the best time to plant a Southern Magnolia bare-root tree? A: The best time to plant bare-root trees is typically in late winter or early spring, before the tree breaks dormancy. This allows the roots to establish before the stress of summer heat.
• Q: Will the Magnolia grandiflora plant survive winter in my zone? A: Southern Magnolias are hardy in USDA zones 6-10. If you are in zone 6, younger trees may benefit from some winter protection, such as mulching.
• Q: How long until my fragrant magnolia tree blooms? A: While young trees may produce some blooms within a few years, significant flowering typically begins once the tree is more established, usually within 5-10 years, depending on growing conditions.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for this bare root plant care? A: Southern Magnolias prefer rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Amending heavy clay soils with organic matter is recommended to improve drainage.
• Q: Can I grow this evergreen magnolia in a container? A: Due to its large mature size, the Southern Magnolia is not suitable for long-term container growth. It needs to be planted directly in the ground to reach its full potential.