Other Names:  Swamp Magnolia, Laurel Magnolia

Description:

A small tree with extremely fragrant cup-shaped flowers in spring, and then sporadically throughout summer; tiny evergreen leaves with silver undersides distinguishes this variety; makes a wonderful front yard accent in the average home landscape

Ornamental Features

Tensaw Sweetbay Magnolia features bold fragrant creamy white cup-shaped flowers held atop the branches from mid spring to mid summer. It has dark green foliage with silver undersides. The tiny glossy oval leaves remain dark green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Tensaw Sweetbay Magnolia is a multi-stemmed evergreen tree with a shapely oval form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Tensaw Sweetbay Magnolia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Tensaw Sweetbay Magnolia will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This tree performs well in both full sun and full shade. It prefers to grow in moist to wet soil, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.