Photo of Magnolia macrophylla var. ashei flower by Karl Gercens III

Photo by Karl Gercens III

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Buy Magnolia macrophylla var. ashei

Also Known As

  • Magnolia ashei
  • Magnolia macrophylla subsp. ashei
  • Ashe Magnolia
  • Dwarf Bigleaf Magnolia

Plant type

tree, shrub

size

  • H: 15'-30'
  • W: 15'-30'

planting zones

  • 7a-10b

4 x 5 inch pot | $37

Ships USPS, based on weight/location

Fewer than 20 at Secret Garden Growers

1 gallon bagged root ball | $51

Ships UPS, flat charge based on order total

Fewer than 29 at Gossler Farms

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Magnolia macrophylla var. ashei plant details

Magnolia macrophylla var. ashei is a broadleaf deciduous shrub or tree with green foliage. In spring and summer white flowers emerge. Features glaucous texture. Attracts bees and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with mostly sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Magnolia macrophylla var. ashei

Plant type: shrub or tree
Plant family: magnoliaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 15 FT - 30 FT - wide, 15 FT - 30 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring and summer
Uses: big leaves, dramatic, fragrant, rare, small tree, tropical-looking

GROWING CONDITIONS for Magnolia macrophylla var. ashei

USDA Zones: 7a - 10b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer, heat and humidity
Soil needs: acidic, average, rich and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

(ASHEI BIG LEAF MAGNOLIA) Smaller in form and shape than species, but still with BIG leaves to 2’… Ashei only grows 10-20’ & blooms at earlier age (3-4 yrs.). BIG 12” white fragrant flowers, May June have maroon centers. Enjoys moist well-drained soil and sun to part shade. Red fall fruit. Rare & choice! USDA Zone 6 4”x 5” pot
Magnolia ashei is a dwarf form of the Bigleaf Magnolia and some botanists list Ashe as a subspecies of Bigleaf Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla ssp. ashei). Ashe Magnolia trees are very similar to Bigleaf Magnolia trees except that they tend to grow much shorter and flower at a younger age. The flowers and leaves are still just as large, with the leaves growing up to two feet long and the flowers more than a foot in diameter. If they are sited with too much shade the leaves can develop powdery mildew so plant these in areas that have either good sun exposure or good air flow.
Ashe Magnolia also commonly known as the Dwarf Bigleaf Magnolia, and is sometimes listed as a variety of that species. It resembles its larger cousin, but it is smaller in in all aspects, but better suited for most landscapes. It also flowers at a much younger age. Ashe magnolia is very rare in cultivation and in the wild.

By: Fantastic Plants

The very fragrant, very large white flowers occur with the very large light-green leaves on this delightful native shrub/small tree; related to M.macrophylla but shrubbier in habit (10-20') ; blooming at a younger age. Sun/Med
Ashei is an early blooming form of Magnolia macrophylla. The leaves might be a tiny bit smaller but they are still huge. The flowers also are huge. zone 5 posslbly.
Use this plant for a tropical effect in zones 6-8, and zone 5 with protection! A rare big leaved and big flowered Magnolia, it blooms in early summer with sweetly scented 10-12" chalice shaped white flowers enhanced with wine colored markings at the base of each petal. Lustrous blue green foliage can be 2' long and really creates thattropica effect. Plants have a shrublike habit, but can become 15-25' tall and wide unless you prune to the size and form you prefer. Shipping 3-4' plants in 2 gallon pots.
A rare species from the southern Appalachians where so much diversity found refuge during the last ice age. Medium growing to 15-20' in the garden with apple-green leaves with striking reflective silver undersides. Light yellow flowers in spring and early summer -- it is really the leaves that turn us on....Even summer moisture with afternoon shade in hot dry climates. Hardy to well below 0 ºF or into USDA zone 6.
This Magnolia is native to bluffs on the Florida panhandle and rare in cultivation. The tree is smaller in form and shape than the species and not as pubescent on the undersides of the leaves. Flowers are produced early in the life of the tree, usually after they are only a few years old. The blooms are white with maroon spotting at the base of the petals and appear May-June.

By: Greer Gardens Inc.

Collected seed from northern Florida. We have had M. ashei in our garden since 1962-63. Our plant is 15' tall. It's essentially a dwarf form of M. marcrophylla. Our plant has 12"x6" leaves and 6"-8" flowers.

Gardening facts about Magnolia macrophylla var. ashei plant

How to Grow Magnolia macrophylla var. ashei

  • Sun Exposure

    • mostly sun - mostly shade
  • Soil Needs

    • acidic
    • adaptable
    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - regular
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • humidity tolerant

Features

  • Flower Color

    • white
  • Flower Season

    • spring
    • summer
  • Texture

    • glaucous
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Wildlife

    • bees
    • butterflies
    • deer resistant
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