Sweetbay Magnolia

Magnolia virginiana

Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) is a fast-growing flowering tree, hardy in USDA zones 5-10, that matures to about 10-35 ft × 10-35 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with high water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-wet soil. Expect cream and white blooms in spring and summer. It attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinators, stands up well to deer, fire and pollution, grows happily in containers.

USDA zones

5-10

Sun

Full sun, Part shade

Water

High

Mature size

10-35 ft × 10-35 ft

Spacing

12-24 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Maintenance

Low

Soil

Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-wet

Foliage

Silver, Green

Bloom color

Cream, White

Bloom season

Spring, Summer

Attracts

Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Pollinators, Small mammals, Songbirds

Tough against

Deer, Fire, Pollution, Salt, Wet soil

Native to

Eastern United States