The Magnolia Tree - Spectacular Fragrant Flowers

The Magnolia is one of the most breathtaking flowering trees in mid and late spring.

This specie is native to the southwest part of China. It is grown all over the world today, and especially known in Japan, Europe, and North America. The tree does well in zones four through ten in the United States.

There are different varieties available today. The tree is deciduous in many areas, but is considered broad leaf evergreen in warmer climates. This specimen can take full sun or partial shade.

My first encounter with this beautiful plant specimen was in 1994. We were moving from the northeast to the south. We were in Greenville, South Carolina on a house hunting trip.

There is so much to see in a new area. Our Realtor was bringing back to the airport, and I looked out the window and noticed this large vibrant off white flower. I couldn't believe the size of each bud and flower on one tree.

The Realtor stopped the car, got out and cut off a flower and handed it me. I was engulfed with one of the most fragrant flowers I had ever smelled. Each flower produces a rich sweet aroma.

The leaves are shiny and smooth in texture. The top part of the leaf has a delightful green tone, and the underneath has a brown color. Flowers bloom in pink, purple, and creamy white tones.

In the spring the new leaves are slender and sometimes you can't tell the difference between a new leaf and a bud appearing. Once the temperatures continue to warm up the buds emerges into a full and fuzzy shape. The bud will begin to open and this is when you begin to smell that wonderful aroma.

The flower is one of the most fascinating aspects of this tree. From the development of the bud, to the beginning show of the flower, and when each flower totally opens its door for everyone to see.

Each flower won't last long only a few days, but the wonderful aspect of this tree is its mass amount of flowers that provide a spectacular spring and summertime show. You can also take a flower and put it in some water and bring it in your home for a refreshing aroma throughout a room.

One of the most popular varieties is the Southern Magnolia, or grandiflora. It grows well in zones six through ten. This is one of the largest specimens of the family. It will mature up to eighty feet high, and thirty five to forty feet wide.

The Saucer variety will grow well in zones four through nine and will mature twenty to thirty feet high. The Little Gem is the dwarf version of the grandiflora. It will mature up to forty feet but the leaves and flowers are a little smaller.

I have a Little Gem and flowers will take a few years to appear. This can be discouraging the first couple of years but it is truly worth the wait. It took eight years to have mass blooming. We were hit a few years ago with a bad ice storm and the ice split the top part of the tree. The tree did repair itself and recover. The underneath part of the leaves of the Little Gem are a darker brown.

Magnolia's are slow growers and can take average water. Once establish it can tolerate some droughts and also a little flooding. In the gallery of plants section, there is a variety of other shrubs and trees that will compliment this specimen. This tree attracts bees, butterflies and different species of birds. In the examples of landscape design section, there are many different simple designs that you could incorporate this magnificent tree.

The Magnolia is by far one of the sweetest fragrant ornamental trees growing in many different locations. The spring and summer blooms provide a spectacular showing of gorgeous flowers.

In the southern United States the Bradford Pear is one of the first trees to bloom. The Azaleas, Dogwoods and Cherry trees follow in the Bradford foot steps.

In May, it is the brilliant Magnolia that takes center stage and creates a mass of flowers for so many people to enjoy. When the this tree is done blooming, the Crepe Myrtles take us into the late summer and early fall. This specimen is a great addition to any landscape.