Leaf
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Wikimedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Southern magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora L.
Also known as: Bull bay, Evergreen magnolia
Family: Magnoliaceae
10 to 20 m tall
Planted as a specimen in parks and large gardens
Flowering: June – September
Full sun
Part shade
Fairly hardy, to about -15°C once established, sensitive to cold in the first few years
❓ How do you recognise this plant?
Magnolia is one of the oldest genera of flowering plants still in existence — its flowers, which appeared before bees evolved, were originally pollinated by beetles, which explains their thick, tough petals.
🍃 Leaves
Evergreen, large, leathery, glossy above, rusty-felted beneath
🌸 Flowers
Very large (up to 25 cm), creamy white, highly scented, broadly cup-shaped
🍎 Fruits
Follicles clustered in an upright cone, opening to reveal red seeds
🪵 Bark
Grey, smooth, becoming slightly rough with age
🗺️ Distribution
Native to the south-eastern United States; widely planted in France as an ornamental tree, especially south of the Loire
🐝 Value for pollinators
Primitive flowers historically pollinated by beetles rather than bees, an ancient strategy among flowering plants
✂️ Horticultural uses
Major ornamental tree planted for its glossy evergreen foliage and huge scented summer flowers
⚠️ Possible toxicity
No notable toxicity known
🌱 Known cultivars
Little Gem
Dwarf version of the southern magnolia (3-4 m against 15-20 m for the typical species), with a compact, columnar habit, ideal for a small garden or as a specimen; flowers from a young age.
Bracken's Brown Beauty
Very hardy, compact cultivar (8-10 m), recognisable by the underside of the leaves covered in a thick rusty-brown down ('indumentum'), one of the best sellers in nurseries.
🌿 Other Magnoliaceae to discover
ℹ️ Educational profile — do not use it to judge whether a plant is edible or safe.
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