Are magnolias perennial or annual plants?

The Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is a perennial tree that blooms in spring and summer. These trees are native to the Southeastern United States and grow 60 to 80 feet tall.

Do magnolias like sun or shade?

Magnolia trees thrive in full sun or partial shade . In arid climates, magnolias benefit from afternoon shade. Avoid strong winds that can break brittle branches or large blooms.

11 Magnolia Flowers Types Every Southerner Should Know

Bigleaf Magnolia

Botanical Name: Magnolia macrophylla
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Loamy, Moist, Sandy, Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (5.0 to 6.0)

The blooms of bigleaf magnolia are white, with long flower segments often spotted with red. In some instances, subtle pinkish-purple hues are present throughout the petals, while in other cases, you can find streaks of deep purplish red near the base of the flower, where the petals meet the stamen. As hinted by their name, these magnolias have giant leaves that can grow anywhere from 12- to 36-inches long.

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Cucumber Tree

Botanical Name: Magnolia acuminata
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Loamy, Moist, Rich, Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (5.0 to 6.8)

This magnolia species can grow to heights of 60- to 80-feet tall, and in the summer, it produces flowers in shades of yellow and yellow-green. 'Brenas' has deep yellow flowers, 'Koban Dori' is canary yellow, and M. acuminata subcordata has big flowers with a lemony fragrance. These trees are mainly grown for foliage rather than flowers, which typically blend in.

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Lily Magnolia

Botanical Name: Magnolia liliiflora
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Loamy, Moist, Rich, Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic to Neutral (5.0 to 7.0)

This magnolia's common name—as well as its scientific name, Magnolia lilliflora—speaks to the tree's graceful, tulip-shaped, lily-like blooms, which have elongated petals that are purplish on the exterior and creamy white on the interior. 'Gracilis' and 'O'Neill' have purple-and-pink blooms.

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Loebner Magnolia

Botanical Name: Magnolia × loebneri
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Loamy, Moist, Clay, Sandy, Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic to Neutral (5.0 to 7.0)

The flowers of the deciduous Loebner magnolia resemble those of the star magnolia. However, these blooms are spaced farther apart on the tree, and their flower segments, shaped like straps, are even longer and broader than those of M. stellata. 'Ballerina' is blush pink and fragrant, while 'Merrill' has white blossoms.

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Oyama Magnolia

Botanical Name: Magnolia sieboldii
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Loamy, Moist, Rich, Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (5.5 to 6.5)

A compact deciduous magnolia species, M. sieboldii, bears white, fragrant, cup-shaped flowers and striking crimson-and-gold or crimson-and-green stamens. Following the flowers, pink oval-shaped fruits appear, which open up in the fall to reveal striking orange and red seeds. 'Harold Epstein' and 'Michiko Regne' produce semi-double blooms.

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Saucer Magnolia

Botanical Name: Magnolia x soulangiana
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Moist, Rich, Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (5.0 to 6.2)

Also known as "tulip trees" and "Chinese magnolias," these magnolia trees produce fragrant, rounded, cup-shaped blooms in shades of white, pink, and purple. They bloom from late winter to spring, often before the deciduous foliage emerges. 'Alexandrina' produces blooms with white centers and purple exteriors, 'Lilliputian' has pink and white flowers, and 'Rustica Rubra' has huge reddish-purple blossoms.

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Southern Magnolia

Botanical Name: Magnolia grandiflora
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Moist, Rich, Well-drained, Loamy, Sandy, Clay
Soil pH: Acidic (5.0 to 6.0)

This evergreen magnolia, also known as Southern magnolia, can be identified by its thick, glossy leaves and big, fragrant white blossoms. It blooms in summer and is the state flower of Mississippi and Louisiana.

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Star Magnolia

Botanical Name: Magnolia stellata
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Moist, Rich, Well-drained, Loamy, Sandy, Clay
Soil pH: Acidic (5.0 to 6.0)

This magnolia species produces distinctive blooms with clusters of long petals. This type of magnolia is smaller, reaching heights of up to 15- to 20-feet and widths of around 10- to 15-feet when fully grown. Due to its size, this variation can be grown as a larger shrub or a smaller tree. 'Centennial' has white blossoms, 'Jane Platt' blooms rosy pink, and 'Water Lily' produces pink buds and fragrant white flowers.

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Sweetbay Magnolia

Botanical Name: Magnolia virginiana
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Moist, Rich, Well-drained, Loamy, Sandy
Soil pH: Acidic (5.5 to 6.5)

Another magnolia native to the South, the sweetbay magnolia is a smaller and more cold-hardy look-alike of its close relative, M. grandiflora. It has creamy white flowers and glossy dark green leaves. Because this tree will only grow up to 10- to 20-feet high and wide, it is an excellent selection for patios and borders. This tree is evergreen in mild coastal climates and deciduous in places with colder winters.

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Umbrella Magnolia

Botanical Name: Magnolia tripetela
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Moist, Rich, Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (5.0 to 6.0)

The flowers of umbrella magnolias have red seedpods, purple stamens, and distinctive flower segments tinged with a greenish-yellow hue. They grow large—up to 10 inches across—and are deeply fragrant.

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Yulan Magnolia

Botanical Name: Magnolia denudata
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Moist, Rich, Well-drained, Loamy, Clay, Sandy
Soil pH: Acidic (5.0 to 6.5)

This magnolia species bears fragrant white blooms that are upright and shaped like tulips. The flowers often have a purplish tint where the bloom meets its stem. 'Double Diamond' is a selection with a heavier overall bloom than the rest, making it a beautiful and dramatic planting choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are magnolias perennial or annual plants?

The Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is a perennial tree that blooms in spring and summer. These trees are native to the Southeastern United States and grow 60 to 80 feet tall.
Do magnolias like sun or shade?

Magnolia trees thrive in full sun or partial shade. In arid climates, magnolias benefit from afternoon shade. Avoid strong winds that can break brittle branches or large blooms.