Southern Magnolia

The Southern Magnolia is the "Grand Dame" of the genus, a massive evergreen tree that symbolizes the beauty of warmer temperate climates. When you receive these seeds, notice how heavy and oily they feel; this is due to the high fat content required to sustain the embryo through a very long dormancy. The preparation starts with the same sarcotesta removal as the other species, but the Southern Magnolia is even more prone to fungal issues. After scrubbing the seeds clean, it is often helpful to dust them with a little bit of cinnamon or a charcoal powder, which act as natural fungicides. The stratification period for this giant is the longest, often requiring a full six months (180 days) of cold storage to achieve a germination rate of 30 to 40 percent.

Sowing should take place in late winter or very early spring. Because these trees produce a massive taproot almost immediately, you should plant the seeds in the deepest pots you can find—often called "tree pots." Plant them one inch deep in a mix of peat, pine bark, and sand. The Southern Magnolia is a slow starter; it may take two months for the first leathery leaves to push through the soil. Once they appear, the maintenance is all about consistency. These trees hate to have their roots disturbed and they hate rapid changes in soil moisture. Provide them with full sun as soon as they are a few inches tall to encourage thick, sturdy growth.

While it seems impossible to keep a tree that can grow 80 feet tall in a pot, the Southern Magnolia is actually very popular for large estate-style containers when young. Dwarf cultivars like "Little Gem" are specifically bred to live in pots on sun-drenched patios. In the landscape, the Southern Magnolia is an "anchor" tree. It is so large and its shade is so dense that very few things can grow directly under it. It is best used as a privacy screen or a majestic lawn tree. Because of its dark, glossy evergreen leaves and huge white flowers, it looks best when paired with other broadleaf evergreens like Hollies or Wax Myrtles. The creamy white blooms, which can be the size of dinner plates, provide a stunning contrast against the dark green foliage throughout the early summer months.