Magnolia grandiflora, commonly known as the Southern magnolia or bull bay, is a large evergreen tree native to the southeastern United States, particularly the coastal regions from North Carolina to Florida and west to Texas. It belongs to the Magnoliaceae family and is renowned for its large, fragrant flowers and glossy, leathery leaves.
Southern magnolias are impressive trees that can grow up to 20 to 30 meters (65 to 100 feet) tall, with a spread of 10 to 15 meters (30 to 50 feet) or more. They have a pyramidal or conical shape when young, maturing into a more rounded or spreading form with age. The bark is smooth and gray when young, becoming more furrowed and brownish-gray as the tree matures.
The leaves of Magnolia grandiflora are large, oblong, and dark green, with a glossy texture on the upper surface and a rusty-brown fuzz on the lower surface. They can grow up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) long and 10 centimeters (4 inches) wide. The leaves are evergreen, providing year-round interest in the landscape.
One of the most distinctive features of Southern magnolias is their flowers, which are large, creamy white, and highly fragrant. The flowers can be up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) in diameter and have a waxy texture. They bloom in late spring to early summer and are often followed by cone-like fruit clusters containing bright red seeds.
Southern magnolias are widely cultivated as ornamental trees in gardens, parks, and landscapes for their attractive foliage, flowers, and overall majestic presence. They prefer moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Hardy in zones 7-9.