Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Oregon, USA

Common name: Sweet Bay Magnolia

Family: Magnoliaceae

Distribution: Southern & Eastern USA

Habitat: Mixed forest types, wetlands

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Hardiness: Zone 6b -5 to 0 F

Life form: Semi-evergreen tree

Usage: Ornamental shade tree

Comments: Sweet bay magnolia, is native to the southeastern United States north along the Atlantic coast to New York. Broadleaf evergreen to semi-evergreen, 20-30’ tall, 15-20’ wide, with a spreading, rounded crown or open, multi-stemmed shrub. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, shiny green above, silver grey beneath, 7-13 cm long, 3-8 cm wide. Flowers sweetly fragrant, white, 9-12 petaled, 2-3” diameter, appear in mid-spring and can be sporadic throughout the growing season. Fruit pod cucumber-like to 5 cm long with red seeds.
Best grown in acidic, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, rich, organic soils, but, unlike most other magnolias, tolerates wet, boggy soils.