Sweetbay Magnolia - Magnolia virginiana

Phonetic: mag-NO-li-a ver-jin-ee-a-na

Trees in pots are unavailable for shipment 

1 Gallon Pot 2-2.5'

Bare Roots 18"-24"

Sweetbay Magnolia, is a semi-evergreen tree that grows in full sun to partial shade areas and prefers moist to wet soils.  While it tolerates brief flooding, it also grows well in consistently moist upland soils, provided they are not too dry. Sweetbay magnolia is particularly well suited to regions with humid climates.

Sweetbay magnolia blooms typically between May and July. Its large, creamy white flowers are beautifully fragrant and can appear sporadically through the summer months. Each blossom opens for only a couple of days but is quickly replaced by new blooms, extending the flowering period. The flowers give way to cone-like fruiting structures that mature by late summer or early fall, releasing bright red seeds that dangle briefly from the fruit before being taken by birds. These seeds are an important seasonal food source for many wildlife species.

Sweetbay Magnolia serves a vital role in supporting pollinators and wildlife. Its flowers are primarily pollinated by beetles—especially sap beetles and leaf beetles—that are attracted to the strong lemony fragrance and abundant pollen. The tree’s seeds feed birds such as vireos, thrushes, and wild turkeys, while its dense foliage provides cover and nesting habitat for wildlife. In addition, it is the host plant for the Sweetbay Silk Moth.

• Hardiness Zone: 5-10
• Native Region: BONAP Map
• BONAP Map Key Color Guide: Map Color Key
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade
• Flower Color: White
• Bloom Time: May, June, July
• Soil Type: Medium, Moist, Wet
• Mature Plant Size: 10-35'H, 10-35'W
• Plant Spacing: 12-20'
• Host Plant: Sweetbay Silk moth
• Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
• Advantages: Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant, Poor Soil 
• Landscape Uses: Rain Garden, Hummingbird Garden 
• Companion Plants: Sweet Pepperbush, Swamp Azalea, Buttonbush