Hardy, deciduous to semi-evergreen, Eastern North American tree Description: Fragrant, creamy-white, cup-shaped flowers open in early summer, followed by slender-seeded, cone-like fruit; leaves have a distinctive silvery underside on multiple stems. Habit: Grows 10 to 40 feet high and wide. Culture: Prefers full sun to part shade and moist, but well-drained soil rich in organic matter Hardiness: USDA Zones 5 through 9 Origin: North America Attributes: Fragrant flowers, showy fruit, rain garden Jefferson documented Thomas Jefferson planted Sweet Bay trees adjacent to the house at Monticello and also observed the species flowering on May 22, 1808. Sweet Bay ((Magnolia virginiana) was the first Magnolia cultivated in European gardens. It was introduced to England from Virginia by John Bannister in 1688. In 1705, a pioneer natural historian from Virginia, Robert Beverly, wrote of the blossoms: "The pleasantest smell in the world." This was the most common Magnolia sold by American nurseries early in the 19th century. This plant will ship bare root. Magnolia Virginiana tree is approximately 18-24" tall. Bare root planting tips: If you can't plant immediately, store your Magnolia Virginiana plant in a cool location and keep the roots moist or pot in a container with a nursery potting mix from your local garden center. Before planting, let the roots soak for several hours as you prepare the site. You'll want to dig a large enough hole so the root mass can spread out and the plant is at the same soil level as when it was growing in the nursery. Once planted, water it in well and wait a month before fertilizing. Mulching will help to maintain moisture and raise soil temperatures for faster growth.
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