Magnolia

Many southerners acclaim the magnolias as the most beautiful of all evergreen trees because of its stately, glossy leaves and large pure white blooms. The Southern magnolia grows naturally in North Carolina in rich, moist soil along river swamps and in the Coastal Plain. However, it can be grown as an ornamental tree throughout the state.

Southern magnolia can adapt to a wide range of soil conditions, but it does best in soil with a high moisture content, a medium level of fertility, a high organic content and a pH of 4 to 6. Magnolias need partial shade and watering during dry summer months. They grow best when fertilized with organic materials such as cow manure or cottonseed meal. If these materials are not available, apply one cup of 8-8-8 per inch of trunk diameter in January or February.

Under natural conditions magnolia limbs grow to the ground. If you will leave the bottom limbs on your magnolia, not only will you retain, the tree’s natural shape, but you can have a place to put the leaves as they fall.

Magnolias can be used as a specimen or accent tree, as an evergreen screen, or as a background for large deciduous shrubs. Be sure to allow plenty of space for your magnolia to develop when you select a site for it.

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