Why Plant Moonglow® Sweetbay Magnolia?
Plant it by the patio! You’ll want Moonglow® Sweetbay nearby when you relax on your patio on those blissful late spring and early summer days. That’s when this exquisite ornamental tree unfurls its creamy-white blossoms, perfuming the air with their lemony fragrance. The blooms keep coming for weeks! In late summer, shiny red fruits appear that are relished by songbirds. Robins, cardinals, mockingbirds, orioles, and kingbirds may be seen flitting among the branches of your tree in search of a meal. The dark green, silver-backed leaves of Moonglow® Sweetbay Magnolia are lovely to look at as they dance in the wind, but they are more than just a pretty ornament. Sweetbay Magnolia foliage nourishes our native tiger swallowtail and Spicebush swallowtail butterfly caterpillars, as well as those of the handsome Sweetbay silkmoth.
Sweetbay Magnolia is a beloved native tree found in the East Coast and Gulf states, from southern New Jersey to East Texas. This particular selection arose from a crop of seeds sown in the 1970s by the late, great nurseryman, Earl Cully, of Jacksonville, Illinois. The superior seedling stood out from the crowd by virtue of its distinctively upright habit. Over the years, Cully also observed that Moonglow® was more cold-hardy than other selections (it survived -33ºF with no damage!) and that it held its leaves later in the year. In west-central Illinois, he noted, it holds its leaves until Christmas. In very mild climates, Moonglow® is evergreen.
How to use Moonglow® Sweetbay Magnolia in the landscape?
Moonglow® Magnolia is a fast-growing tree that doesn’t get huge. It’s perfect for smaller properties and for cozy spaces within large estates.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 5-10
How To Plant Moonglow® Sweetbay Magnolia
Plant your Moonglow® Sweetbay Magnolia in a sunny spot, or one with light shade. Mulch with organic matter to keep the root zone cool and moist. Like all Sweetbays, Moonglow® will perform best in acidic (low pH) soils, so if Rhododendrons and Azaleas grow well in your area, this tree should be happy. In very alkaline soils, its leaves may become chlorotic (yellowish). Moonglow® is otherwise easy to please!
How To Water
Water regularly. Although it will be tolerant of dry spells once it is well established, Moonglow® will perform much better with constant moisture. Unlike other Magnolias, it will even withstand occasional flooding.
How To Fertilize
We recommend incorporating the Bower & Branch Elements Starter Plant Food into the soil when planting. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established.
How To Prune
The best time to prune a Moonglow® Sweetbay Magnolia is in late Spring to early Summer - after flowering has occurred. Prune to shape or remove any damaged or dying branches to open up the elegant branching structure.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
