12 Different Types of Magnolia Trees and Shrubs

Magnolia trees can be evergreen or deciduous, depending on where they are growing, and some species change their growth habits depending on climate and environment. Often considered classic trees and shrubs symbolizing the South, the plants under the genus Magnolia are remarkably diverse, including many species suitable for colder climates. There are more than 200 types of Magnolia trees; some species are multi-stemmed shrubby plants, while others are classic upright trees that are quite massive.

Their beauty and variety make these trees so special and popular. Magnolia trees are generally known for having large, leathery leaves and impressive white or pink flowers that appear very early in spring—often before the leaves even emerge. Flowering magnolias are known to be especially fragrant.

Here are the most common species to help you identify the types of magnolia trees and basic tips on how to grow them.

Types of Magnolia Trees

01 of 12
Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

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When people think of magnolias or read about them in novels, the southern magnolia is very likely the plant that comes to mind. Southern magnolia is a large evergreen tree that needs lots of space. The elliptical leaves are large and leathery, up to 10 inches long, and the white flowers appearing in mid-summer to early autumn can be as much as 12 inches across. This type of magnolia has a cousin, the "Teddy Bear" southern magnolia, which is smaller and a good option for a potted magnolia tree.
- Native Area: Southeastern U.S.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
- Height: 60 to 80 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
02 of 12
Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangiana)

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Created by crossing the lily magnolia and the Yulan magnolia, the saucer magnolia can either be a large shrub with multiple stems or a small tree. The white blooms with pink interiors typically appear in early spring before the leaves appear. Many cultivars are available offering different flower colors in the purple range. This is the most commonly grown magnolia in the United States.
- Native Area: Hybrid plant—no natural range
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
- Height: 20 to 25 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
03 of 12
Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Star magnolia is a deciduous small tree or large shrub that produces star-shaped white flowers in later winter or early spring—before any other flowering tree and before even most spring bulbs. If possible, plant in a sheltered location to help it flower in the spring, as the buds are easily damaged by frost, which could be the reason why the magnolia buds won't open, if you're having that issue.
- Native Area: Japan
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
- Height: 15 to 20 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
04 of 12
Anise Magnolia (Magnolia salicifolia)

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The anise magnolia has leaves that look somewhat like those of a willow tree or shrub. They are wider than willow leaves but not as wide as the usual magnolia leaf (another common name is "willow-leaf magnolia"). This deciduous tree will produce white flowers with strappy petals before the leaves unfurl in the spring. The fall color is a pleasing golden yellow.
- Native Area: Japan
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
- Height: Up to 30 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
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05 of 12
Bigleaf Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla)

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Bigleaf magnolia lives up to its name, producing leaves that can be up to 32 inches long. Like most magnolias, it is normally a deciduous tree, though it may be evergreen in the warmer zones. The blooms, which normally appear in May, are as much as 10 inches across and are white with purple petal bases.
- Native Area: Southeastern U.S., Mexico
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
- Height: 30 to 40 feet, occasionally to 60 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
06 of 12
Ashe's Magnolia (Magnolia ashei)

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Ashe's magnolia can be either a large shrub or a small tree, depending on how it is pruned. It is sometimes treated as a subspecies of the bigleaf magnolia—its leaves are as much as two feet long. Its name was given in honor of William Willard Ashe of the United States Forest Service. The white flowers have petals up to a foot long, blooming after the light-green leaves have emerged in the spring.
- Native Area: Florida
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
- Height: Up to 30 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
07 of 12
Cucumber Magnolia (Magnolia acuminata)

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The cucumber magnolia is named so because the fruits resemble cucumbers. This is the most cold-hardy of the magnolias, but while it has the large glossy leaves (up to 10 inches long) and large growth habit of the classic southern magnolias, the greenish, tulip-shaped flowers are much less showy—only about 2 inches across. The fruits that follow the flowers turn from green to red as they mature. This can be a good shade tree or specimen tree for colder climates, provided you are willing to tolerate the mess that goes with the large leaves.
- Native Area: Appalachian regions of the U.S., southern Ontario
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
- Height: 60 to 80 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
08 of 12
Lily Magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora)

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The lily magnolia is one of the smaller species, growing as a shrub or small tree. In early spring before the leaves open, this shrub puts out a huge flush of lightly perfumed reddish-purple or pink flowers shaped like lilies. A favorite cultivar, 'Nigra', is renowned for deeply colored flowers. After flowering, dark green elliptical leaves appear. This species is a parent of the saucer magnolia.
- Native Area: Southwest China
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 10
- Height: 8 to 12 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
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09 of 12
Kobus Magnolia (Magnolia kubos)

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The Kobus magnolia is a slow-growing species that exhibits many of the classic magnolia traits—fragrant white flowers tinged with pink that appear before the leaves open, and large, dark-green leaves. Also known as Japanese magnolia or northern Japanese magnolia, it is most often planted as a specimen tree where early-season flowers are desired. This species tends to form multiple trunks, but pruning it back to a central leader will give it a more traditional tree-like shape.
- Native Area: Japan, Korea
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
- Height: 25 to 50 feet, occasionally 75 feet with very old trees
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
10 of 12
Loebner Magnolia (Magnolia × loebneri)

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The Loebner magnolia is a hybrid produced by crossing Kobus magnolia and star magnolia. This small tree usually has multiple stems, but you can create a central leader by pruning. Fragrant star-shaped pink and white flowers four to six inches wide appear in spring before the foliage emerges. The dark green oval leaves are smaller than other magnolias, growing no more than five inches long.
- Native Area: hybrid plant; no natural range
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
- Height: 20 to 30 feet; occasionally as tall as 60 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
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Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Regionally, this plant may also be known as beaver tree, swamp magnolia, or laurel magnolia. In cooler locations, the sweetbay magnolia is usually a deciduous shrubby plant with multiple stems, while in warmer zones it tends to be an upright tree that remains evergreen. It is an excellent plant for boggy locations or clay soils. Waxy white flowers appear in midsummer to early autumn; the shiny green oblong leaves have silvery undersides.
- Native Area: Eastern U.S.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 10
- Height: 10 to 35 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
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Umbrella Magnolia (Magnolia tripetala)

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The umbrella magnolia is named for the enormous shiny leaves (up to 24 inches long and 10 inches across), which droop down around the ends of the branches. The creamy white flowers, six to 10 inches across, appear just after the leaves emerge around late spring to early summer. While they're fragrant, they're not particularly sweet-smelling. This is a multi-stemmed small tree; its native habitat is the understory forests of Appalachia, so it is a plant that does very well in shady locations.
- Native Area: Eastern North America
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
- Height: 15 to 30 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Caring for Magnolia Trees

Common Species of Magnolia Trees and Shrubs — The Spruce

Magnolias are not hard to grow, but they do have some basic care requirements such as:

Light: Ensure magnolia trees are not in full sun. They are somewhat unique among flowering trees and shrubs in their tolerance for shady conditions.
Soil: Provide magnolia trees with in acidic soil with good drainage; they generally do not do well with wet feet in boggy soil. If you have neutral or alkaline soil, you can heavily amend it with peat moss to lower the pH before planting. However, keep in mind this means you will have to adjust the pH periodically.
Water: Water young magnolia trees 2 to 3 times per week for the first 3 to 6 months, keeping the soil moist but not wet. Once established, water the magnolia trees once per week.
Fertilizer: Feed magnolias slow-release fertilizer in the spring to best help them flourish.
Pruning: Prune magnolia trees of diseased and damaged branches regularly, as they are quite susceptible to fungal diseases and this is essential for keeping them healthy. Pruning also improves air circulation, which can prevent fungal issues in the first place.

FAQ

How do I determine which type of magnolia I have?

Some ways you can identify the type of magnolia tree you have includes looking at the size, shape, and texture of its leaves; observing the size, color, and scent of its flowers; and taking note of the overall size of the magnolia tree.
Where should magnolia trees not be planted?

Avoid planting magnolia trees in areas with poor drainage, compacted soil, and lots of wind exposure.
What are the easiest types of magnolias to grow?

Most magnolias share care necessities, but sweetbay magnolias and little gem magnolias can be the easiest to care for as long as they're planted in an appropriate USDA hardiness zone.
How far away from a house should magnolia trees be planted?

Magnolias are plants that like their space (although some species have been known to climb), so it would be best to keep most varieties planted at least 20 feet from a house.