Sweetbay Magnolia

Magnolia virginiana

Sweetbay Magnolia is a graceful native tree or large shrub with semi-evergreen to evergreen foliage and creamy white, lemon-scented flowers that bloom in late spring and sporadically through summer. Its upright, airy habit and tolerance of wet soils make it ideal for naturalized and woodland settings.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 59
Sun Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Water Requirements: Moderate to high; tolerates wet or poorly drained soils
Growth Rate: Moderate
Mature Size: 1035 feet tall, 1020 feet wide (varies by region and form)
Soil Preference: Moist, acidic, well-drained to wet soils
Landscape Use: Woodland gardens, wetland edges, foundation plantings, native gardens
Maintenance: Low maintenance; prune in late winter if shaping is needed