When Do I Plant a Magnolia Tree in Victoria, Texas?

Magnolia shrubs can reach 15 feet tall and 15 feet wide.

Magnolias are hardy shrubs that bloom in spring and through summer, and grow throughout the country. Because these shrubs are large and relatively sensitive during planting times, it's important to choose the right site and the right timing to establish healthy magnolias.

Site

Victoria, Texas, falls into U.S. Department of Agriculture growing zone 9, which means that summers are hot and steamy, and winters rarely fall below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Although these conditions are ideal for many plants, they may stress magnolia shrubs, which prefer slightly cooler summer conditions. The site should get partial shade to keep the shrub cool during summer.

Types

Ideal planting times depend on the type of magnolia, according to the U.S. National Arboretum. Plant evergreen magnolias in the spring and deciduous magnolias in the spring or fall.

Southern Plantings

Gardeners in Victoria, Texas, should plant their magnolias just before the first frost in the area to allow the plant to establish over the winter. The frost date in this area of Texas averages around the second week of November.

References

• United States National Arboretum: Magnolia Questions and Answers
• Ohio State University: Magnolia Stellata
• "Southern Living": Magnolia: Essential Southern Plant
• Growit: Texas USDA Hardiness Zone Map