Photo of Magnolia laevifolia flower by Dancing Oaks Nursery

Photo by Dancing Oaks Nursery

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Magnolia laevifolia

Also Known As

  • Magnolia dianica
  • Michelia yunnanensis

Plant type

tree, shrub

size

  • H: 6'-15'
  • W: 3'-8'

planting zones

  • 7b-10b

More Options

Magnolia laevifolia plant details

Magnolia laevifolia is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or tree with green foliage. In spring cream and white flowers emerge followed by brown, green and red fruit. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular - occasional water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Magnolia laevifolia

Plant type: shrub or tree
Plant family: magnoliaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 3 FT - 8 FT - wide, 6 FT - 15 FT - tall
Flowers: cream and white blooms in spring
Uses: fragrant, indumentum, lemon-scented, small tree

GROWING CONDITIONS for Magnolia laevifolia

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

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

A multitude of 1-2" fragrant white flowers very early in spring on a background of handsome dark evergreen leaves makes this easily trimmed 6-12' shrub an exciting hedge, topiary or large container. S-PSh/M
A shrubby evergreen Magnolia (formerly Michelia) with leaves backed in rich brown indumentum. The flower buds are brown and furry and open in March & April to 4" wide creamy white flowers strongly lemon scented. Paul Bonine says it handled the winter of 2011 fine in Portland.
Stunning plant! Recently called M. dianica and previously Michelia yunnanensis but this plant is always fabulous with its graceful, ropey foliage; profuse, intensely fragrant white blooms in spring and summer; and first rate cinnamon indumentum on the buds in autumn! This form has pleasingly rounded leaves and a more compact habit than the straight species, reaching only 6-8 ft in time. Easily accepts sun to half shade with regular water. Frost hardy in USDA zone 8 and very possibly into mid zone 7.
One of what used to be Michelias. This is a small evergreen tree. The white flowers show up in April-May. Not hardy outside the Deep South, California or Oregon Coast.

Gardening facts about Magnolia laevifolia plant

How to Grow Magnolia laevifolia

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • regular - occasional
  • Soil Needs

    • acidic
    • adaptable
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • humidity tolerant

Features

  • Flower Color

    • white
    • cream
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Fruit

    • red
    • green
    • brown
  • Wildlife

    • bees
    • deer resistant
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