Magnolia Trees That Thrive in Zone 6 Gardens

Gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zone 6 are blessed with a wide selection of magnolia trees that can flourish in their landscapes. Ranging from evergreen southern magnolias to cold-hardy star magnolias, there are many beautiful magnolia varieties proven to survive zone 6 winters.

Why Magnolias are Great for Zone 6

Magnolia trees bring year-round beauty to gardens in zone 6, which covers mid-Atlantic states to midwestern areas Here’s why magnolias thrive in zone 6

• Adaptability – Many magnolia species naturally occur in zone 6 climates, evolving to handle the environment.

• Flowering – Magnolias flower abundantly in spring before leaves emerge. Flowers range from white and pink to yellow.

• Evergreen options – Some magnolias like the Southern magnolia keep leaves year-round, providing winter interest.

• Cold hardy varieties – Bred magnolias like star magnolias withstand zone 6 cold better than the species.

• Fast growth – Magnolias establish quickly and fill in landscapes faster than many trees.

• Fragrant blooms – Most magnolias have wonderfully fragrant and showy blooms.

So magnolias are ideal flowering trees for yard beauty in zone 6!

Best Magnolia Trees for Zone 6

Here are some top magnolia tree picks for thriving in zone 6:

Star Magnolia

Star magnolias bloom abundantly in spring with white star-shaped flowers up to 3 inches wide that brighten landscapes before leaves emerge. They grow 15-20 feet tall. Try:

• Royal Star – Most popular with massive early blooms. Grows 20 feet.
• Centennial Blush – Pink blooms. Grows 15 feet.

Tulip Tree Magnolia

These fast-growing magnolias produce tons of tulip-shaped flowers in spring. They get 60 feet tall. Look for:

• Jane – Abundant reddish-purple blooms. Grows 60 feet.
• Butterflies – Pale yellow blooms. Grows 40 feet.

Southern Magnolia

Classic magnolia of the south. Has huge white summer blooms. Evergreen foliage and striking form. Varieties include:

• Alta – Cold hardy to -10°F. Grows 50 feet.
• Kay Parris – More compact at 20 feet tall.

Sweetbay Magnolia

A smaller magnolia that flowers in late spring and is semi-evergreen. Grows 15-20 feet tall. Try:

• Moonglow – Prolific bloomer with yellow-white flowers.
• Snowdrift – Pure white, frilly blooms.

Evergreen Magnolia

These keep glossy green leaves year-round and have fragrant white blooms. Excellent as screens. Look for:

• Edith Bogue – Fast growing to 40 feet. Withstands cold to -30°F
• Victoria – Grows 20-30 feet tall. Hardy and easy to grow.

So embrace the beauty of magnolia trees by planting zone 6 hardy varieties that will thrive for years to come!

Tips for Growing Magnolias in Zone 6

Follow these tips to successfully grow magnolias in your zone 6 garden:

• Select magnolias ideal for your specific zone 6 climate. Zones 6a vs. 6b have different minimum temps.

• Choose locations with full sun to part shade exposure. Morning sun is essential.

• Plant in moist, humus-rich, well-draining soil. Amend clay or sandy soils.

• Space magnolias properly to allow for growth. Smaller varieties 10-15 feet apart, larger ones 20-30 feet.

• Water regularly the first year, then as needed during drought. Avoid soggy soils.

• Apply mulch around trees to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

• Prune judiciously in late winter to shape trees. Avoid heavy pruning.

• Fertilize in spring with a balanced organic fertilizer to encourage growth.

• Protect young magnolias from deer browsing with fencing if needed.

With the right care, magnolias will flourish into gorgeous focal points in your zone 6 landscape for decades to come!

When to Plant Magnolias in Zone 6

The ideal time to plant container-grown magnolias is in early spring before new growth begins. This gives trees a full growing season to establish roots before facing winter. Fall is another option, but spring is better.

If planting bare root magnolias, aim for early spring while trees are still dormant but the ground has thawed. Or plant in fall 6-8 weeks before the ground freezes.

Avoid summer planting as the heat stresses newly planted magnolias. Ensure magnolias planted in summer are thoroughly watered.

Where to Place Magnolia Trees in Zone 6

Assess your landscape and site magnolias in spots where they have room to reach mature size. Think about:

• Yard placement – Place larger magnolias as stand-alone specimen trees, smaller varieties near houses.

• Sun patterns – Ensure magnolias get full sun, especially in morning.

• Spatial needs – Check expected mature height and width for planting space.

• Soil preparation – Amend and improve poor soils before planting.

• Function – Use magnolias as screens, focal points, property borders, and more.

With strategic placement, magnolias can transform your zone 6 landscape into a breathtaking spring wonderland!

Types of Magnolias that Grow Well in Zone 6

Many kinds of magnolias thrive in zone 6 if selected varieties suited to the zone. Some top types include:

• Star magnolia – Ideal flowering ornamental for zone 6 gardens. Stays 15-20 feet tall.

• Saucer magnolia – Medium tree with huge cup-shaped blooms up to 10 inches wide.

• Loebner magnolia – Spring bloomer that stays shrub-sized, 10-15 feet tall.

• Tulip tree magnolia – Fast-growing magnolia that rockets up to 70 feet tall.

• Sweetbay magnolia – Smaller magnolia perfect for zone 6. Grows 15-25 feet.

• Evergreen magnolia – Keeps green leaves year-round. Reaches 20-60 feet.

• Oyama magnolia – Vase-shaped cold hardy tree that blooms profusely in spring.

• Hybrid magnolias – Combines best traits of different magnolias into ideal trees for zone 6.

The possibilities are endless! Discover new magnolia varieties that will bring dazzling flowers and captivating beauty to your slice of zone 6.