Southern Magnolia

Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

Bull Bay, Evergreen Magnolia

Full to part sun, moist to well-drained, prefers deep fertile loam but tolerates clay and sandy loam, pH 5.0–6.5; moderate drought tolerance once established.

60–80 feet tall by 30–50 feet wide; blooms May–June with large, creamy white flowers 20–30 cm across, strongly fragrant; fruit is a cone-like aggregate 7–12 cm long with red seeds. Growth rate medium. Broadleaf evergreen.

Native region: Southern fringe of Middle Tennessee and the Coastal Plain; at the northern limit of its natural range in Tennessee — more common from Memphis southward, but widely planted statewide as an ornamental.

Magnolia grandiflora is iconic in Columbia and throughout the I-65 corridor, where it appears as a specimen tree in older residential yards and municipal plantings. The leathery, rust-backed leaves drop intermittently year-round and decompose slowly, forming dense mats that suppress lawn grasses — routine raking or blowing is necessary in turfgrass settings. Magnolia scale (Neolecanium cornuparvum) is the most significant insect pest, appearing as waxy, tan or pink hemispherical bumps on small branches; heavy infestations cause dieback and sooty mold on lower foliage. Apply an 8–10 cm layer of mulch out to the drip line to maintain moisture and reduce mower contact with surface roots, which are easily damaged.