Magnolia Species You Can Plant For White Flowers

Planting magnolia trees is a fantastic way to fill your space with stunning white flowers and create an enchanting atmosphere. They may take a few years to really start producing blooms, but the good news is, it's easy to grow and care for magnolia trees. Their flowers can be white, yellow, purple, pink, or red. For fragrant blooms that offer the magical, snowy look, you can plant Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), star magnolia (Magnolia stellata), or sweetbay magnolia trees (Magnolia virginiana), which all produce white flowers.

Each species of magnolia is uniquely suited for certain spaces or goals. The Southern magnolia is great for large landscaping projects. Its fruits and bark have been used medicinally, and the leaves are eaten or used as a spice in cooking. For smaller spaces, the compact star magnolia tree takes center stage, while the sweetbay magnolia tree is a favorite for gardeners with swampy soil. All three of these magnolias have edible flowers.

The Southern magnolia is a gorgeous magnolia tree that's easy to take care of in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 to 10. This large, native species needs about 60 feet of space to grow in either full sun or partial shade. The tree itself can grow up to 80 feet tall. You will begin to see white flowers in spring, and it can continue to bloom periodically until the first frost in the fall. The flowers themselves are the reason many people plant this magnolia species. The tree produces giant blooms that can reach 1 foot in diameter. They also feature cone-shaped clusters of fruit that are generally red or copper, adding a burst of brightness against the stunning white flowers. The large, oval leaves complement the blossoms, and the petals are edible. They are sometimes pickled or used as a garnish or seasoning.

If you're looking for a smaller magnolia, consider star magnolia trees, which are another native species that grows in zones 4 to 8. They only get as tall as 20 feet. They are frequently used for lawn and patio landscaping or planted near gardens. The smaller size makes it easier to plant in the right location to ensure your magnolia flower buds bloom year after year. The flowers are also much smaller than the Southern magnolia tree, around 4 inches in diameter, but just as beautiful. The blossoms feature 12 to 18 thin, star-shaped petals, hence the name. While other magnolias like the Southern and sweetbay can sometimes be considered more of a cream color, star magnolias are truly white.

One of the best things about this last option is that sweetbay magnolia trees bring butterflies and other benefits to your yard, which makes them a great option for pollinator gardens. This native tree grows in zones 5 to 10., though it may get damaged in the winter in its colder range. It grows well near rain gardens and water features since it likes consistently moist soil. However, these trees need almost as much space as Southern magnolias because they grow to be closer to the same size, with a 35-foot diameter (compared to a Southern magnolia's 50-foot diameter). They get up to 35 feet tall, except in the deep South, where they grow much taller.

Sweetbay magnolias foster a healthy wildlife ecosystem. They have been known to attract butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators, along with songbirds and small mammals. Sweetbay magnolia blooms look like miniature Southern magnolia flowers. The blooms have a very similar shape with the same number and color of petals, but they only grow to be between 2 and 3 inches wide. The fruit is also a miniature Southern magnolia lookalike.