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    • Photo of Magnolia macrophylla foliage by Danger Garden

    Photo by Danger Garden

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Magnolia macrophylla

    Also Known As

    • Bigleaf Magnolia
    • Umbrella Tree

    Plant type

    tree

    size

    • H: 25'-50'
    • W: 12'-30'

    planting zones

    • 4a-8b

    More Options

    Magnolia macrophylla plant details

    Magnolia macrophylla is a slow-growing broadleaf deciduous tree with green foliage. In summer cream flowers emerge. Grows well with mostly sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, rich and well-drained soil.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Magnolia macrophylla

    Plant type: tree
    Plant family: magnoliaceae
    Foliage: deciduous green
    Mature size: 12 FT - 30 FT - wide, 25 FT - 50 FT - tall
    Flowers: cream blooms in summer
    Uses: big leaves, fragrant, showy, tropical-looking

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Magnolia macrophylla

    USDA Zones: 4a - 8b
    Sun exposure: mostly sun - mostly shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
    Resistant to: deer
    Soil needs: acidic, rich and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    One of the largest-leafed woody plants that can be grown in a cold climate, the Bigleaf Magnolia produces leaves as large as two feet long and a foot wide along with flowers that can exceed a foot in diameter. The flowers are fragrant and feature pure white petals with light pink or purple at the base and toward the center. Trees grow 1-2 feet per year and will reach 30 feet in height and about 15 feet wide. A very tropical looking plant for cold climates, the trees are cold hardy to around -20 degrees but are also very heat tolerant and thrive in southern climates.

    By: Red Panda Nursery

    The largest leafed American tree. We have had 3' leaves on young plants. This is a big (50') tree of great presence. M. macrophylla will not be ignored in any garden. Our original plant wasn't hurt by -12 F. The flowers are 12-15" across in early summer.

    By: Gossler Farms

    Big, bold, fragrant flowers measure 8-12" across with yellow and purple in the centers. Bigleaf Magnolia has the largest leaves and flowers of any native North American tree. It has the appearance of a tropical tree, but is hardy in zones 5-8. The large oval leaves can measure up to 30" long, and are bright green on top with fuzzy, silver-gray undersides. It blooms in late spring and early summer followed by red, egg-shaped fruits that hold the seeds. Bigleaf Magnolia is a specimen tree for landscapes. Deciduous in winter, it grows best in a sheltered location to protect it from strong winds that can tear the large leaves.

    By: Logee's Plants for Home & Garden

    Bigleaf Magnolia appears tropical, but is surprisingly hardy. A medium to large native tree with huge leaves, impressive white flowers and decorative fruits.

    By: Heritage Seedlings

    Huge leaves (sometimes almost 3' long) make this tree stand out in the landscape. The back of the leaves are silvery and flash into view in the wind. Flowers are also large and white and appear in early summer. It is a native to eastern America, but rarely seen and little known.

    By: Fantastic Plants

    Big Leaf Magnolia looks like a banana plant when it is young. It needs to be grown in a somewhat sheltered location because of the wind damage on the leaves. Reaching 30-50', the tree needs a large space. The flowers are huge but often hidden by the leaves. zone 5

    By: Whitman Farms

    Looking at this plant you would never guess it was hardy to minus 20 degrees F. This 20-30' tree displays large tropical looking leaves and humungous white flowers to match. The blooms appear in June and July and are followed by decorative fruit.

    By: Avant Gardens

    Sometimes called an Umbrella Tree. Native to the south-central U.S., this tropical looking, deciduous Magnolia hosts the largest leaves and flowers of the genus, measuring up to 3' x 1½', respectively. Leaves show silvery undersides, and fragrant, cup shaped, white and purple flowers appear May-June. May take up to 15 years to flower, but well worth the wait! Reaching 30-50' at maturity, this awesome tree does best in rich, moist locations protected from wind and direct sun.

    By: Greer Gardens Inc.

    Throw a party when it blooms! Huge ivory goblets brush stroked with red in the center. Huge leaves go great with Gunnera. Slow growth to 30 ft. Moist rich soil.

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Gardening facts about Magnolia macrophylla plant

    How to Grow Magnolia macrophylla

    • Sun Exposure

      • mostly sun - mostly shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - regular

    • Soil Needs

      • acidic
      • adaptable
      • well-drained
      • rich

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • cream

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant

    • Flower Season

      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

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