Where to Find Magnolia Grandiflora Trees for Sale

The magnolia grandiflora, commonly known as the southern magnolia, is one of the most iconic flowering trees in the southern United States. With its large, fragrant white blooms and glossy evergreen foliage, it’s easy to see why the southern magnolia tree holds such appeal for gardeners and landscapers

If you’ve decided to add a magnolia grandiflora to your own landscape, you may be wondering where to find one for sale. The good news is that many nurseries and online retailers offer this beautiful tree for homeowners who want to enjoy its graceful presence in their yard. Here is an overview of some of the best places to purchase a southern magnolia tree:

Online Retailers

One of the most convenient ways to buy a magnolia grandiflora is through an online nursery or retailer Purchasing trees online allows you to shop from the comfort of home and compare offerings between multiple sellers. Some of the most reputable online sources for southern magnolia trees include

• Arbor Day Foundation – This nonprofit conservation organization offers 3-4 foot magnolia grandiflora bare root saplings for $12.99 to members. Their trees are guaranteed to grow or they will provide a replacement within one year.

• Fast Growing Trees Nursery – This company sells container-grown magnolias in 3, 5, 7, and 10-gallon sizes. Their prices range from $99 to $249 depending on the size.

• Nature Hills Nursery – This nursery has magnolia grandifloras available in 7 and 15-gallon containers starting at $199. They also sell taller specimen trees up to 12 feet

• Brighter Blooms – This retailer offers small containerized southern magnolias for as low as $59. Their larger 8-10 feet trees cost around $199.

When ordering online, pay close attention to the size, root type (bare root vs container grown), and geographic source of the tree. This will help ensure you get a healthy, viable magnolia for your growing zone. Also check seller reviews and guarantees.

Retail Garden Centers

Another option is to shop for your magnolia grandiflora at a local garden center or nursery retailer. Some national and regional chains that may carry this tree include:

• Home Depot – They stock smaller container-grown magnolias for $40 to $150. Offerings vary seasonally and by location.

• Lowe’s – Similar to Home Depot, they sell potted southern magnolias ranging from 2 to 6 feet tall. Prices run $50 to $150.

• Armstrong Garden Centers – This California nursery chain occasionally has magnolia grandiflora available in 15-gallon containers for around $150.

• Pike Nurseries – This regional company with locations in the southeast U.S. sells magnolia grandifloras in 3 to 25-gallon pots from $50 up to $500.

Visiting a physical retail location allows you to personally inspect trees for health and form before purchasing. Check for green flexible branches, no discoloration, and moist soil medium. Also ask about guarantees and return policies.

Local Nurseries

In many areas, locally-owned independent nurseries will offer the best selection and prices on mature magnolia grandiflora specimens. A few things to look for:

• Specialty fruit tree nurseries – Those focused on citrus, apples, peaches, etc may also carry ornamental magnolias.

• Shade tree nurseries – Magnolias are popular shade trees, so specialty growers are a good bet.

• Landscaper suppliers – Businesses catering to pro landscapers often sell magnolia trees.

• University agriculture extensions – Some states sell magnolias grown locally on college campuses.

When shopping local nurseries, select carefully for tree size, structure, and root health to get the best magnolia for your needs. Also be aware of zoning limitations for mature tree planting in your area.

Things to Look for When Buying a Magnolia Grandiflora

• Tree size – Magnolias are available in a wide range of sizes, from 1 gallon saplings to towering 60-foot specimens weighing thousands of pounds. Decide how large you want your tree to ultimately grow.

• Container vs. Bare root – Bare root magnolias need more care initially but become established faster. Container trees transplant more easily but are more expensive.

• Tree structure – Choose a magnolia with balanced branching and a straight central leader for best growth. Avoid trees with multiple leaders or big branch gaps.

• Trunk condition – Look for damage-free bark without significant scrapes or cracks which can invite disease.

• Leaf health – Seek trees with waxy, green leaves without brown spotting or discoloration. Defoliation indicates a stressed, weak tree.

• Soil medium – For potted magnolias, verify soil is moist but not soggy. Root ball should hold together and not be loose.

• Roots – Avoid pot-bound root balls with lots of circling roots. Seek ones with healthy white feeder root growth.

• Hardiness zone – Ensure the magnolia is suitable for your USDA zone. It thrives best in zones 7-9.

Taking the time to carefully source and select your magnolia grandiflora will help you wind up with a healthy tree that flourishes in your landscape. Always buy from reputable sellers and check return policies in case the tree arrives in unsatisfactory condition.

How to Plant a New Magnolia Grandiflora

Once you’ve brought home your new southern magnolia, proper planting technique will give it the best start. Here are some tips for getting it into the ground:

• Prepare a space at least 2-3 times the expected canopy width of the mature tree to allow adequate room for growth. Magnolias can reach 25-40 feet across.

• Dig a bowl shaped hole only as deep as the root ball and 2-3 times wider. The sides should slope outwards.

• For container magnolias, gently remove from the pot, loosen encircling roots, and roughen sides.

• Place in hole with top of root ball level with the ground. Refill hole with native soil, tamping periodically to remove air pockets.

• Water deeply until saturated. Form a temporary water basin around the base to encourage root growth downward.

• Stake for 1-2 years until established. Place mulch 2-4 inches deep around base, avoiding direct contact with trunk.

• Water young trees weekly in warm months, tapering off as the magnolia matures. Apply fertilizer in spring.

With proper care and growth conditions, magnolia grandifloras can live 100+ years and may even be passed down between generations in a family. Choosing a healthy specimen from a reputable seller maximizes the odds your tree will thrive for decades to come.

Magnolia Grandiflora Care Tips

Caring for your southern magnolia once it’s planted mainly involves attending to water, nutrition, and pest/disease prevention needs:

• Watering – Young magnolias need irrigation of at least 1-2 inches weekly until established. Mature trees are fairly drought tolerant but appreciate occasional deep soaks during dry periods.

• Fertilization – In spring, apply a balanced organic fertilizer or slow-release magnolia-formulated plant food. This encourages growth and blooms.

• Pruning – Remove suckers and waterspouts that divert energy from the main tree structure. After flowering, prune to shape and prevent branch crowding.

• Pest control – Scale, leaf miners, and webworms sometimes require treatment with horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps. Maintain vigor through proper care to ward off pests.

• Disease prevention – Pick up and dispose of fallen leaves to prevent fungal issues. Promote airflow with proper spacing and pruning. Water at base to keep foliage dry.

By learning the specific care needs of magnolia grandiflora, you can maintain a healthy specimen tree that graces your property with beauty for many years to come. A small amount of effort goes far when properly caring for this majestic flowering evergreen.

Why Magnolia Grandiflora Makes a Great Addition to Any Landscape

The southern magnolia brings so many positive attributes to residential and commercial settings alike. Here are some of the top reasons this tree makes an excellent addition to properties throughout much of the United States:

• Ornamental beauty – The magnolia grandiflora is breathtaking in bloom, producing huge, fragrant white flowers that can measure over 1 foot across at their peak. The flowers emerge creamy white before fading to tan.

• Evergreen foliage – Unlike many flowering trees, the magnolia holds most of its leaves year-round. The dark green leaves have a polished sheen and rusty undersides.

• Shade capabilities – A mature magnolia provides excellent cooling shade under its dense canopy during warmer months. The shade density is moderate, allowing grass to grow underneath.

• Long lifespan – With proper care, magnolia grandiflora can survive over 100 years. Some historic specimens have lived up to 300 years.

• Pollution tolerance – The waxy leaf coating provides good resistance to chemical pollutants and soil contamination. Magnolias grow well in urban environments.

• Unique architectural form – The magnolia develops an oval to pyramidal or columnar habit depending on cultivar. Lower branches often sweep gracefully close to the ground.

• Wildlife habitat – Flowers provide an early nectar source for pollinators like beetles, flies and butterflies. Fruits feed birds and small mammals. Dense foliage offers nesting sites.

Whether you choose a magnolia grandiflora for its spectacular blooms, handsome greenery, or stately proportions, it’s easy to see why this classic tree has been prized for centuries. It can serve as a stunning focal point or gracefully blend into the landscape as a complementary element.

Selecting the Best Magnolia Grandiflora Cultivar

While the species itself brings universally desired traits, there are some cultivated varieties of magnolia grandiflora that offer notable improvements:

• ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’ – Prized for its unusual brownish flowers in summer. Foliage takes on purple hues in fall. Grows 50-70 feet tall.

• ‘Edith Bogue’ – A compact cultivar maturing at just 20-25 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Great for smaller yards.

• ‘Little Gem’ – Reaches 25-30 feet at maturity. Blooms at a young age with especially abundant flowers.

• ‘Majestic Beauty’ – Cold hardy and fast growing to 60 feet high and wide. Very heavy flowering and highly disease resistant.

• ‘Victoria’ – A versatile magnolia suitable for screens or backdrops thanks to its narrow pyramid shape. Ultimate height around 40 feet.

Take some time to research the many magnolia cultivars available to determine which one best fits your specific needs and landscape conditions. The right selection will tailor the strengths of this tree to your individual property.

Common Problems With Magnolia Grandiflora

While generally hardy and trouble-free, magnolia grandiflora trees can encounter a few problems to be aware of:

• Chill injury – Insufficient winter cold can prevent flower bud development. Ensure it receives adequate chill hours below 45°F.

• Frost damage – Early spring freezes can damage emerging flowers, though the tree itself is hardy even in colder zones. Site in a protected location.

• Leaf spots – Bacterial and fungal diseases cause spotting and blight. Promote air circulation and reduce moisture on leaves.

• Mites – Red spider mites feed on leaf undersides in dry conditions. Hose off foliage or use insecticidal soap sprays to control infestations.

• Scale insects – These sap-sucking pests excrete sticky honeydew and can stunt growth. Apply horticultural oil or remove manually to keep in check.

• Trunk wounds – Lawnmowers and weed whips easily damage thin bark, making it susceptible to disease. Use mulch and boards to protect the trunk.

While magnolias are not immune to problems, their relatively high resistance and vigorous growth help them power through most challenges. Stay alert for any signs of sickness and treat promptly.

Is Magnolia Grandiflora a Good Choice for Your Yard?

If you’re thinking about adding a southern magnolia to your residential or commercial landscape, take stock of these factors to decide if it’s a smart choice:

• Growing space – Magnolias need significant room to reach their full size potential. Ensure you have adequate area for both canopy width and root spread.

• Soil conditions – These trees prefer slightly acidic, moist soil but adapt to varied types. Drainage is key to prevent root rot. Avoid very sandy or wet soils.

• Sunlight requirements – While tolerating part shade, magnolias thrive best in full sun. This maximizes flowering and also winter hardiness.

• Maintenance needs – Some pruning and training is needed while young to shape an optimal structure. Mature magnolias are relatively low maintenance.

• Growth rate and longevity – Magnolias are long-lived trees reaching maturity within 10-20 years in ideal conditions. Prepare for an enduring presence in your landscape.

• Messiness – Expect leaf and flower debris to require occasional cleaning up. The seed cones can be a nuisance in high traffic areas.

If you have the space, time, and inclination to steward this impressive tree to maturity, it can be a tremendously rewarding addition. Magnolia grandiflora makes an outstanding focal point and adds graceful southern charm to lawns and gardens.

In Summary

The magnolia grandiflora is definitely one of those trees that looks almost too perfect to be real when seen growing in its native region of the southeastern United States. Even in other areas of the country, this iconic flowering evergreen makes a huge impact wherever it’s planted. It takes some research and planning to track down high quality magnolia trees for sale, but the beauty and enjoyment they provide for decades to come makes it a worthwhile investment. By applying proper care and conditions, you’ll have the privilege of growing