Here’s Why You Should Plant a Magnolia Tree in Your Garden
Say “magnolia” and most people envision large shade trees with fragrant blossoms that evoke the American south. True, some grow as big as 70 feet, but with 12 species and hundreds of varieties, including ones that flourish as far north as Maine and Minnesota, there’s a magnolia for everyone. “Think of magnolias as you do fashion—there’s a size, shape, style, and color suited to the decor of just about any garden, even the smallest,” says Judie Evrard Brower of Tesselaar Plants, an international plant research company. “Some can even be container-grown.” And don’t think for a moment that they’re fragile. “Magnolias are easy to care for and disease-resistant,” Brower says. They’re also versatile—they can grow as a hedge or be trained to climb up a lattice against a wall. Here, you’ll find a few popular choices worth exploring, plus Brower’s guidance on how to incorporate them into your outdoor space.