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Magnolia virginiana (Sweetbay Magnolia, Swamp Magnolia, Whitebay, Swamp Laurel, Beaver Tree)

Michael's Opinion

A great tree for privacy around patios or along driveways. It carries beautiful white fragrant flowers that flower during the summer and makes a nice focal point in any flower garden.

Botanical Information

Family	Magnoliaceae
Genus	Magnolia
Species	virginiana
Category	Woody
Type	Shrub (deciduous), Shrub (evergreen)
Origin	Indigenous to the United States of America and introduced into cultivation in England in 1687. It was the first Magnolia species to be grown in England. It is quite variable in nature with distinct varieties identified, M. virginiana var. australis a southern species and the more hardy northern species M. vriginina.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone	4, 5 - 9
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone	6 - 10
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)	-10
Temperature (°F)	-20
Height	6 m
Spread	8 m
Growth	Medium
Flowering Period	June

Description and Growing Information

General Description	Often seen growing by swamps, white-green undersides to the leaves. This species has been placed on the IUCN Red List as least concerned and has been given a G5 global ranking by NatureServe.
ID Characteristic	Small, deciduous to evergreen shrub with white fragrant flowers. Has bright red-orange seeds.
Shape	Upright shrub or small tree, fairly round to oval shaped and typically multi-stemmed.
Landscape	Screening, around patios or long driveways for privacy.
Propagation	Mature seeds should be soaked in water for a few days to easily remove the pulp. Seeds can be planted right away but are best stratified for 2 - 4 months at 5 ºC.
Cultivation	Plant in partial shade to full sun in wet, swampy and/or acidic soils.
Pests	Scale, tulip-poplar weevil (leaf miner) and leaf spots.
Notable Specimens	The Gardens of Fanshawe, London, Ontario, Canada. The Mac Cuddy Botanic Garden, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada.
Habitat	Boglands, swamps and marshlands.
Bark/Stem Description	Thin, delicate bark susceptible to mechanical injury and winter damage.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description	Narrow lanceolate flower buds pointing upward. The terminal buds, measuring between 3 - 6 cm in length, are much larger than the lateral buds, which measure between 5 - 9 cm in length.
Leaf Description	They are simple, alternate, lanceolate-pinnate leaves without serration that measure between 5 - 10 cm in length. Leaves are two-toned, pale green adaxial and silver abaxial; where trees are grown in exposed locations with a little wind they appear to shimmer.
Flower Description	5-7.5 cm wide with about 8 petals per bloom. Flowers are very fragrant.
Fruit Description	Elongated lanceolate fruit measuring 2 - 7 cm. Towards autumn, the fruit turns brown and splits open to reveal bright red-orange seeds.
Colour Description	Brown-grey bark, medium green leaves that do not turn in autumn with white undersides. White flowers in the summer.
Texture Description	Medium.

Photographs

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