Magnolia Tree Facts

Magnolia Tree are the state flowers for two states, Louisiana and Mississippi. There’s only 50 states, but there are tons of different flowers! Needless to say, magnolia flowers and the trees they grow on must be pretty spectacular.

There are around 210 species of magnolia that differ in size, shape, color of the flower and type of habitat. Usually grows on acidic soils that are rich in nutrients, in areas that provide enough moisture and direct sunlight. It is often planted in parks and on the golf courses because of its ornamental morphology and ability to provide shade.

Magnolia Tree Facts

Magnolia trees are diverse in leaf shape and plant form, and they include both evergreen and deciduous sorts. They aren’t usually munched by deer.

• Magnolias are believed to be the earliest known flowering plants, with their fossils dating back over 100 million years. Magnolia trees even existed before bees, so they rely on beetles for pollination. Instead of nectar, the flowers produce large quantities of pollen that the beetles use for food.
• The oldest trees on the grounds of the White House are two southern magnolias planted between 1829 and 1837 by Andrew Jackson, in memory of his wife, Rachel, who died two weeks after Jackson won the election.
• Magnolia flowers are actually composed of “tepals,” a combination of sepals and petals similar in size and shape, comparable to water lilies.

Basics

The iconic southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is often considered the gold standard of the genus, but magnolias, particularly the deciduous varieties, can be grown in almost any region of the U.S., from the tip of Florida to as far north as Maine and Washington.

Zones:

4-9

Size:

Magnolias come in a wide array of cultivars that can accommodate the scale of any garden, from 15-foot shrubs to massive trees that can reach heights of 80 feet or more.

Bloom time:

On deciduous varieties, the flowers open in early spring before the leaves appear, emerging from large pussy-willow-like buds that set during the previous growing season and remain throughout fall and winter. Evergreen types bloom heaviest during the transition from spring to summer. But, don’t be surprised if your magnolia tree re-blooms in the summer or early fall. It’s not uncommon for sporadic blooms to appear on new growth.

Interesting Magnolia Tree Facts

• Magnolia has brown or grey bark that is smooth when the plant is young. As the plant gets older, bark turns from smooth into scaly.
• They produces 1 ½ to 3 inches wide flower that consists of up to 18 leathery tepals (fused petals and sepals).
• Flower contains both male and female reproductive organs (monoecious plant).
• Color of the flower depends on the species and it can be white, yellow, pinkish, purple and green.
• Size of magnolia tree depends on the species. Smaller species are only 15 feet tall. Larger species can grow 80 feet in height.
• Tree has pyramidal crown that can reach 30 to 50 feet in diameter.
• Magnolia has dark green, oval shaped leaves that are covered with layer of wax.
• Leaves are evergreen and they are alternately arranged on the branches. Leaves have leathery texture and entire margin.

Arbor Hills Tree Farm & Nursery Omaha

We provide the Highest Quality Field Grown Nebraska Trees and Shrubs – directly to our customers, at the lowest possible price.

Whether you are looking for trees for:

• new home landscaping
• wind blockage
• commercial or residential

Arbor Hills will work with you to provide the most beautiful Nebraska grown trees available. We grow most of our tree inventory and transport in bulk in early spring – to a holding site in West Omaha for distribution. Most trees can be delivered and planted within 5 to 7 days if you reside in the Omaha metro area. We also source other high quality trees and shrubs from other growers to supply the Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa market.