Why Plant Red Baron Magnolia?
Magnolias are staples of the South, beautifying landscapes with their big, bold flowers and wafting a heavenly perfume into the air. But why should Southerners get to have all the fun? Red Baron lets gardeners in the North experience the pleasures of Magnolia-growing, too! Bred in Wisconsin, this hardy Tree endures the rigors of northern winters and still puts on a fine show in spring. The bowl-shaped blooms are rosy red on the outside, white within, and they smell divine.
Most spring-blooming Magnolias are native to Asia, although they're treasured all over the temperate world. Who can resist falling for these over-the-top beauties? The late Dennis Ledvina brought this beauty to life. Ledvina, from Green Bay, Wisconsin, was a math teacher by trade, but he liked to breed Magnolias in his spare time. Plant breeding was more than just a hobby for him -- his lovely and cold-hardy selections became internationally acclaimed. To produce Red Baron, he crossed the American Cucumber Tree Magnolia with an Asian hybrid called 'Big Dude'.
How to use Red Baron Magnolia in the landscape?
Red Baron blooms a bit later than many Magnolias -- shortly after the leaves begin to emerge. As a result, the flowers are less likely to be hit by a late freeze, a common problem with spring-blooming Magnolias in some parts of the country. Plant Red Baron as a lawn specimen, or include it in any of the sunny mixed borders around your property. Gorgeous!
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
How To Plant Red Baron Magnolia
Give your Red Baron Magnolia a sunny spot in a well-drained site, and it will be happy. A rich, organic, slightly acid soil will result in the best growth. Like most Magnolia Trees, Red Baron dislikes both very wet and very dry conditions, so plant it a couple inches above grade to improve drainage, and supply it with regular water, especially during the first year or two of establishment. A generous layer of mulch will help in regulating soil moisture levels as well as evening out root zone temperatures.
How To Water
Water weekly, or better yet, use the Bower & Branch® Water Element to deliver just the right amount of moisture to your tree throughout the growing season.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant food granular form on an annual basis each late fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established.
How To Prune
Red Baron requires little, if any, pruning to maintain its neat, compact shape.
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.
