North American evergreen treeDescription: Large fragrant white flowers in spring and lustrous dark green leaves which are downy and rust colored on the underside.Habit: Reaches 90' in height. Culture: Prefers sun or part shade and moist, loamy soil. If allowed to grow to the ground, the lower limbs will hide the shedding foliage. Hardiness: USDA Zones 7 through 10Origin: Southeastern United States Attributes: Fragrant flowers; Showy fruits; EvergreenJefferson documented This magnificent Southern tree, native of North Carolina through Florida and Texas, was being cultivated by 1734. It was a classic subject for many early botanical illustrators. Mark Catesby commissioned the naturalist and artist George Dionysius Ehret to illustrate the "Laurel Tree of Carolina" for his Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Island, Vol II. While living in Paris as Minister of France in 1786, Thomas Jefferson requested plants and seeds of the Southern Magnolia or Bull Bay Magnolia be sent to him from both Charles Ramsey of Charleston, South Carolina and John Bartram, Jr. of Philadelphia. Jefferson's interests were to promote the desirability of many North American species by offering them to his friends.This plant will ship bare root. Two year seedling is approximately 2' tall.Bare root planting tips: If you can't plant immediately, store your Southern Magnolia 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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