With its stately presence and abundance of fragrant yellow blooms in spring the Elizabeth magnolia is truly one of the most regal trees you can grow. When mature, an Elizabeth magnolia reaches its full magnificence and becomes a stunning focal point in any landscape.
An Overview of Elizabeth Magnolias
The Elizabeth magnolia (Magnolia x ‘Elizabeth’) is a deciduous hybrid magnolia valued for its early spring flowers and upright, pyramidal form It typically grows 20-35 feet tall when fully mature
This magnolia is a cross between Magnolia acuminata and Magnolia denudata. It was developed by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in 1977 and named after Elizabeth Scholtz, wife of the director at the time.
Some key facts about Elizabeth magnolias:
- Blooms emerge in early spring before the leaves
- Flowers are pale yellow with a hint of green, 3-4 inches wide
- Flowers have a light, sweet fragrance
- Dark green leaves emerge after blooms fade
- Grows in USDA zones 4-9
The Grandeur of a Full Grown Specimen
When allowed to reach maturity over 10-15 years, an Elizabeth magnolia transforms into a small, flowering tree with graceful ascending branches. It fills out to create an oval to pyramidal shape up to 20 feet wide.
In spring, a mature Elizabeth magnolia puts on a breathtaking display. The bare branches become laden with hundreds of fragrant yellow blooms contrasting brightly against the clear blue spring skies.
The satiny flowers appear along the branches, covering the tree from top to bottom. Blooming lasts 2-3 weeks, infusing the garden with a lovely lemon scent.
As the blooms fade, large emerald green leaves unfurl to provide lush summertime foliage. The leaves turn golden yellow in autumn before dropping.
Caring for a Full Grown Elizabeth Magnolia
A mature Elizabeth magnolia is relatively easy to care for once established. Here are some tips:
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Water deeply once a week during first few years after planting, then reduce frequency. These trees are quite drought tolerant when mature.
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Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and reduce weeds. Leave space between trunk and mulch.
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Prune only to remove dead or damaged branches as needed. Avoid heavy pruning.
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Fertilize in early spring with a balanced organic fertilizer to support flowering and growth.
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Protect from harsh winds in winter. Stake trees less than 5 years old.
Where to Plant a Full Grown Elizabeth Magnolia
A full grown Elizabeth magnolia deserves a place of honor in the landscape. Here are some ideal locations:
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As a front yard accent – allow space for the spreading canopy.
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Near a patio or deck – for up-close enjoyment of the blooms.
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In a median or on a corner – where its form can be viewed from all sides.
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In a parkway or wide boulevard – benefiting the whole neighborhood.
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Beside a pond or water feature – will be reflected beautifully on the water.
Benefits of an Elizabeth Magnolia at Maturity
Beyond beauty, a mature Elizabeth magnolia provides many benefits:
- Lovely yellow spring blooms to lift winter spirits
- Fragrant flowers to enjoy
- Shade for humans and habitat for birds
- Handsome architectural presence year-round
- Lower maintenance needs than when young
- Greater drought and wind tolerance
- Increased property value and curb appeal
Bring Stately Elegance to Your Landscape
For an ornamental tree that only improves with age, it’s hard to beat the Elizabeth magnolia. If given the space to reach its full potential, this exceptional magnolia will reward you with unforgettable spring blooms and graceful splendor for decades to come. The queenly magnificence of a full grown Elizabeth magnolia is truly a sight to behold.
Minnesota’s Largest Selection of Trees
At Minnesotas Destination Garden Center, we offer a diverse range of trees to suit any landscaping need. You can find the right tree at Gertens, whether you want shade trees to keep your home cool or ornamental trees to make it look nicer. Our friendly staff can help you choose the right tree for your space and give you advice on how to care for and maintain it. Visit Gertens today and explore the unmatched variety of trees to enhance your outdoor environment!.
Elizabeth Magnolia | Magnolia Elizabeth
Height: 25 feet
Spread: 15 feet
Sunlight: full sun to part shade
Hardiness Zone: 4a
Brand: Gertens
Description:
This hybrid magnolia was chosen for its lemon yellow cup-shaped flowers that bloom in the spring. It has a neat growth habit and big, rough leaves, and it will get quite tall if you don’t give it enough room. It makes a great specimen tree for average-sized yards.
Ornamental Features
Elizabeth Magnolia has beautiful, fragrant, buttery yellow cup-shaped flowers with yellow eyes that sit on top of the branches in the middle of spring, before the leaves come out. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The large pointy leaves turn coppery-bronze in fall. The fruits are showy pink pods displayed in early fall.
Landscape Attributes
Elizabeth Magnolia is a deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.
This tree needs a lot of care and attention, and it should only be pruned after it flowers so that you don’t cut off any of the current season’s flowers. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Elizabeth Magnolia is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Planting & Growing
Elizabeth Magnolia will grow to be about 25 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. There should be at least 4 feet of space between the tree’s low canopy and power lines when planting it. The plant grows slowly but steadily, and if all goes well, it should live at least 80 years.
This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. In exposed areas or colder microclimates, you might want to put thick mulch around the root zone in the winter to protect it. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.
| Available for Pre-Order | No |
|---|---|
| Tree Type | Shade & Ornamental |
| Sun Preference | Full-Sun, Part-Sun |
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Common Family Name | Magnolia |
Avoid These 5 Five Mistakes When Growing and Planting Magnolias
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