Magnolia virginiana var. australis

Also Known As

Evergreen Sweetbay Magnolia

Plant type

tree, shrub, aquatic

size

H: 20'-30'
W: 15'-20'

planting zones

7a-10b

More Options

Magnolia virginiana var. australis plant details

Magnolia virginiana var. australis is a broadleaf evergreen aquatic shrub or tree with green foliage. In summer cream, white and yellow flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular - occasional water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something seaside / salt tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Magnolia virginiana var. australis

Plant type: aquatic shrub or tree
Plant family: magnoliaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 15 FT - 20 FT - wide, 20 FT - 30 FT - tall
Flowers: cream, white and yellow blooms in summer
Uses: fragrant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Magnolia virginiana var. australis

USDA Zones: 7a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular - occasional
Resistant to: deer, seaside / salt
Soil needs: acidic, average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Evergreen (M. virginiana often isn?t) and more tree-like (to 80' vs virginiana?s 15-30'), this southern form of the ever-loved Sweetbay fills a different landscape niche with its glossy-green, silver-reversed leaves and 2-4" lemon-scented flowers. S/M

By: Forestfarm

Silvery backed leaves and open airy growth habit on a southern native. 8-10? in ten years. Matures around 20? tall, but this is variable -grows larger in the South. O.K. for light shade and wet spots. These trees are semi-evergreen. Recommended by: the United States National Arboretum.

By: Fantastic Plants

The southern forms of M. virginiana are not only most fully evergreen but seem to perform much better on the West Coast than the deciduous types. They are more tolerant of drought and all are exceedingly handsome. A tree to about 30' of broad pyramidal shape with blueish leaves, paler blue to nearly silver underneath. The flowers are fairly small, only 2" or 3" but a very pretty pale lemon yellow and lemon scented. Here is it not unusual to find flowers on any day of the year, but certainly more frequently in summer and fall, enough so their fragrance can be detected from some distance. Fine in full sun. A good understory tree and most excellent street tree. Some summer water in dry summer places. This collection has been fine in USDA zone 7 and even upper zone 6, but has shed a number of its leaves at 0 ºF.