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Magnolia virginiana 'Glauca'

Common Name: Sweetbay Magnolia

Magnolia virginiana ‘Glauca’ is a deciduous to semi-evergreen small tree, often treated in references as sweetbay magnolia under the older synonym Magnolia glauca rather than as a clearly distinct, established cultivar. It is valued for creamy white, lemon-fragrant flowers, glossy green leaves with silvery-blue undersides, and an elegant, often multi-stemmed habit. In colder areas it is usually deciduous; in warmer climates it can remain semi-evergreen longer. Type: Deciduous to semi-evergreen tree Mature Size: 10–20' W x 10–35' H USDA Zones: 5b–9b Form: Upright oval to rounded, often multi-stemmed, graceful and somewhat open to dense with age Light: Full sun to part shade Soil / Water: Moist, acidic, organically rich, well-drained to wet soil; medium to high water, especially during establishment; tolerant of boggy sites Bloom Time / Length: Late spring into summer, often May–June, sometimes with scattered repeat bloom afterward Wildlife: Fragrant flowers support pollinators, and the seeds are eaten by birds. Features & Landscape Uses: Excellent for specimen planting, rain gardens, pond edges, naturalized settings, and other moist or low sites where many magnolias would struggle. The silvery leaf undersides add movement and contrast, and the fragrant flowers extend the season later than many spring-blooming magnolias. Care: Plant in sun to part shade in acidic soil that stays evenly moist. Mulch to keep roots cool, water regularly during establishment, and avoid prolonged drought. In colder zone 5 sites, a somewhat protected location is helpful. One note: RHS lists ‘Glauca’ with name status “not established,” while Missouri Botanical Garden treats Magnolia glauca as a synonym of the species, so this name is often used in the trade more like an older botanical name than a reliably distinct cultivar. 

Plant Type:	Deciduous Tree, Flowering Ornamental Tree
Width:	10-20'
Height:	10-35
Fragrant:	Yes
Fruit	Yes
Growth Rate	Moderate
Zone:	5 - 9
Deer Resistant:	Yes
Salt Tolerant:	No
Drought Tolerant:	No
Attract:	Butterflies, Bees
Exposure:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Bloom Time:	Late Spring, Early Summer
Landscape/Use:	Specimen, Accent Plant
Shape:	Upright, Oval/Rounded
Soil Type	Rich, Moist well-drained, Slightly Acidic
Flower Color:	White
Leaf Color:	Green
Fall Color:	Green