How to Identify Magnolia Trees by Their Leaves
Magnolia grandiflora, the old dame of the South, is a lovely, wide-spreading tree that grows throughout the south and into the Pacific Northwest. It thrives in rich, well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. If you live north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7, don't despair. Many magnolia varieties are adapted for northern climates, including saucer flowered varieties (M x soulangeana) and star magnolias (M. kobus). The saucer flowered varieties tend to be early flowering, making them vulnerable to late spring frosts. Star magnolias are heat- and frost-tolerant. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
-
Identifying Southern Magnolia Leaves
-
1
Look at the size. Magnolia leaves are large, ranging from 8 to 12 inches long and 4 to 8 inches wide.
-
2
Inspect the texture. Southern magnolia leaves are bright green, glossy and leathery. The undersides have rust-colored fuzz.
-
-
3
Watch for winter foliage. Southern magnolias drop leaves regularly, but remain evergreen year-round.
Identifying Star and Saucer Magnolias
-
4
Look at the shape of the leaves. Star and saucer magnolias have elongated, oval shaped leaves that alternate on the stem.
-
5
Inspect the color of the leaf. Star and saucer magnolia leaves are smaller than their southern cousins, but they are also bright green with a rust-colored fuzz on the underside.
-
6
Watch for winter leaf loss. Star and saucer magnolia trees lose their leaves in late fall. The leaves turn pale yellow before dropping.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Grow magnolias in full sun in well-drained soil. They like to be moist, but don't tolerate sitting in water.
Plant magnolia trees where they have plenty of space. Magnolia trees have shallow roots and will disrupt sidewalks and foundations if planted too closely.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit magnolia image by Anna Polishchuk from Fotolia.com
