Enjoy the Magnolia Flower in Your Own Garden
For years the magnolia flower has been a symbol of both nobility of perseverance, and has always indicated the romantic and genteel side of nature. The magnolia flower is the state flower of Mississippi, and the magnolia tree is also this state’s official tree. If you have ever been to Mississippi, it’s easy to understand why this plant gets the impressive status of both state tree and flower, because magnolia trees grow extremely well in this state and are indeed very common there. The magnolia flower can be a terrific addition to any type of garden or yard and it doesn’t take an experienced gardener to grow a magnolia tree. We are going to talk about the basic environment and care necessary to grow a magnolia tree so that you can enjoy these lovely flowers in your own garden.
Climate
The magnolia tree is largely seen as a “southern” tree in the United States, and there’s a reason for that. It grows very well in the warm, sunny atmosphere that the South provides. The traditional Southern Magnolia grows best in USDA zones seven through nine, however there are other varieties of magnolia tree, such as the Star Magnolia, which grows well in zones five to seven. The exact temperature tolerance for a magnolia tree really depends upon the species of magnolia that you want to plant. The store or website from which you purchase your plant should specify what highs and lows the plant will be able to handle, which will help you determine whether that tree is suitable for your area.
Soil
Regardless of the type of magnolia that you decide to plant, the soil requirements are pretty much the same for all species. The best soil for magnolias would be quite rich and a neutral to slightly acidic variety. If your soil is not very rich, simply try adding organic matter to it such as compost as you plant it.
Sunlight and Water
The positioning of your magnolia is extremely important because once a magnolia has taken root, it usually doesn’t transplant well. Very few people have success growing their magnolias after moving them to a new spot. The best strategy is to make sure that the spot you plant your magnolia in as a sapling is sufficient for the life of the tree. Magnolias do best in full sunlight, however they can grow in partial shade. Make sure that there are not any other trees within 20 feet of the area you are planting in because most species of magnolia grow to be very large when they are mature. Planting close to a house or other trees could be dangerous.
Magnolias generally do not require a great deal of watering. What the tree receives from the rain is usually adequate. A little extra watering may be necessary if your area experiences a particularly hot and dry summer, in which case the soil should be watered about once every week until the drought has passed.
Planting the Magnolia Tree
Planting a magnolia sapling isn’t as difficult as it might sound. The best time to plant a magnolia tree is during the autumn season, as this will give the roots a chance to become established before the winter and growing season. The first task in planting your tree is to dig the hole. The general rule is to dig a hole that is twice the size of the ball of roots on the sapling. If you have decided to add compost to your soil, go ahead and add this to the soil you dug from the ground. A 50-50 mix should be fine. If the sapling has a burlap sack or other sort of cloth wrapped around the roots, go ahead and remove that before placing the root ball into the ground. You may need someone to help you when you back-fill the hole because the roots need to be elevated so that the roots are nearly level with the ground. As one person is holding the tree in place, the other can back-fill the hole with the soil/compost mixture. It is important to make sure that the soil is firmly packed around the roots so that the tree is steadily anchored in its spot and is not at risk of falling over, yet not so hard-packed that the roots struggle to spread. After the sapling has been planted, the ground should be watered immediately.
After the tree is about a year old, you may want to look into pruning. This will help the tree to look balanced and full when mature rather than tall and top-heavy. Getting the tree planted is really the hardest part as future maintenance is very minimal. Not a bad price to pay in exchange for the beauty and pleasing scent that the magnolia flower can bring to your garden!