tree · design plant record

Magnolia virginiana

Sweetbay magnolia

Fragrant pale flowers above a moisture-friendly tree or large shrub.

Photographs show the source plant or captioned cultivar, season and setting. They do not document one of our illustrative garden layouts as a built project.

Height at maturity

3.05–10.67 m (10–35 ft)

Spread at maturity

3.05–10.67 m (10–35 ft)

Light

Sun / Part shade

Moisture

Moist, draining soil / Wet-soil tolerance (check details)

Source-reported USDA zones

5–10 · verify subzone and cultivar

Principal seasonal role

Spring, Summer, Winter

Fit it to the site

Moist to periodically wet acidic soil; allow the full canopy width.

Evergreen character varies by climate; the species can be a large tree rather than a small screen.

Keep the care in the decision

Keep moisture available as it establishes and check the local mature form.

Origin & safety checks

Eastern United States to Texas and Cuba. Confirm local native range and restrictions.

Pet safety and edible uses are not assessed; verify the exact botanical name with a suitable local authority.

Check current invasive restrictions with your local plant-health or extension authority. For pets, use the exact botanical name in a veterinary toxicity reference; for potential ingestion or exposure, get appropriate professional advice rather than relying on a design guide.