Southern Magnolia

The Magnolia, Southern, Magnolia grandiflora, is an aristocrat of trees. It grows well throughout Georgia, is widely adaptable to a variety of soils, and has few pest problems. With glossy evergreen foliage, and large white fragrant blossoms, it truly is one of the most handsome and durable native trees for Southern landscapes. Southern magnolia is most frequently grown as a single specimen tree in the landscape. Its coarse textured leaves provide an excellent background for shrubs, particularly needle evergreens. It should be planted where lowest branches can grow to the ground because it is difficult to grow anything underneath. Since the tree sheds old leaves each spring and seed pods in late summer, it is best to plant it in an ornamental bed instead of an open lawn area. It can be grown in sun or shade. Southern Magnolia prefers moist, well drained, acidic soils, is tolerant of high moisture levels, and can be planted in areas prone to wetdry fluctuations in soil moisture.