Magnolia virginiana

RHS Plant Profile

sweet bay

Other common names

beaver tree, beaverwood, castorwood, elk bark, small laurel magnolia, swamp bay, swamp sassafras, white bay, white laurel, swamp laurel

Synonyms

Magnolia glauca

Trees

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A deciduous or semi-evergreen tree, up to 9m high, with elliptic to oval-shaped, glossy bright green leaves to 15cm long. Deeply cup-shaped, fragrant creamy white flowers are produced from early to late summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Magnoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous, Semi evergreen
Habit: Bushy, Spreading branched
Genus: Magnolia can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs, with large, showy, often fragrant flowers, often opening before the leaves, and sometimes followed by colourful cone-like fruit
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: E USA to Texas, Cuba

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well drained, neutral to acid soil, in full sun or light shade with shelter from cold winds. It is likely to drop most of the foliage during cold winters. Late frost may damage the shoot tips, leaves and flower buds. Mulch in spring to keep the soil moist. For more information see magnolia cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed, semi-ripe cuttings or softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Minimal pruning required, see magnolia pruning. Deciduous or semi-evergreen magnolias should only be pruned between midsummer and early autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects and capsid bug

Diseases

May be susceptible to coral spot, phytophthora, grey moulds, honey fungus, virus diseases or fungal leaf spot