Why Plant Susan Magnolia?
A few weeks after other Magnolias have bloomed in all their glory, the Susan Magnolia bursts onto the scene in a flush of sweet purple to red blooms on a beautifully compact tree. Susan offers a delicate fragrance that emit from the goblet-shaped, six petaled blooms that can span up to 5 inches across. Oval shaped green foliage soon follows before turning sunshine yellow in fall and fall for the season. The blooms emerge later then other varieties which reduces potential frost damage, making this a charming addition to northern landscapes! When the show's over, you'll be cheering, 'Encore, encore!' and more often than not, Ms. Susan will oblige, blooming sporadically throughout the summer! A sweet and delightful addition, Susan will enthrall all who meet her!
In the 1950’s two scientists, working at the National Arboretum in Washington worked to create a new variety of Magnolia. Francis de Vos and William Kosar explored transferring pollen from the star Magnolia cultivar to the lily magnolia cultivar and eight very special hybrids were born. Affectionately named the “The Little Girls” series these small wonders were specifically created to bloom 2-4 weeks later, thus reducing the risk of damage to flowers from late spring frosts. The Eight Magnolias were selected and named by Willam Kosar. They are Ann, Betty, Jane, Judy, Pinkie, Randy and Susan. The names honor arboretum secretaries or staff wives and daughters.
How to use Susan Magnolia in the landscape?
Susan's mature size is just as charming as her vivid blooms! She fits perfectly in small, city landscapes or cottage gardens but she truly shines as a specimen tree where she can show off her dramatically colored and large spring flowers!
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 3-8
How To Plant Susan Magnolia
Susan Magnolias are happiest when planting in an area with full sun - she can handle part shade but thrives in sun. She prefers well draining, moist, and slightly acidic soil but she is adaptable.
How To Water
Immediately after planting, water your new Susan Magnolia slowly, deeply, and thoroughly. For ongoing care during the first growing season, water every three to four days. After that, the Susan Magnolia is drought tolerant, but don't hesitate to water if in a particularly dry period.
How To Fertilize
When planting, we recommend applying the Bower & Branch Starter Plant Food to be sure that your tree has the nutrients it needs to thrive. Reapply each year in early spring.
How To Prune
With its slow growth rate and petite stature, pruning your Susan Magnolia is not needed. However, if desired for shaping, pruning should be done in mid-summer.
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.
