Unnamed, generic trees (just says “Southern magnolia” on the tag) can take a long time to start, especially if they’re small. A native of Japan, star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) is a shrub or small tree that may be grown in USDA zones 4 to 9, where it will look its best in a location with morning sunlight and filtered afternoon shade. Always point lawn mowers so that the debris flies away from the tree, and keep string trimmers at a distance. Southern gardeners can plant these trees at any time of year. When looking for the perfect show-stopping tree, a magnolia is a great option. In formal landscapes, the tree is sometimes sheared once or twice a season to encourage branching and to maintain a tight, compact form. Southern magnolia is most often grown as a single-trunk tree, but it can also be grown in a multi-trunk form. They have wide … If you want an absolute guarantee, buy a tree that already has flowers or flower buds on it. The tree blooms in late winter or early spring with white, star-shaped flowers. Soil pH is a measurement of the alkalinity or acidity of soil and is measured on a scale of 1-14, with 7 as the neutral mark. The delicate and fragrant magnolia flowers -- in hues of white, pink, fuchsia and yellow -- offer early spring cheer. When planting magnolias, pick the site carefully. Begin shaping the plant while it is young by selectively thinning side branches as needed to produce and maintain the desired growth form. Zones Can You Plant A Magnolia Tree? Southern gardeners can plant these trees at any time of year. Southern Magnolia trees grow best in an acid to slightly alkaline soil ranging between 4.5 to 7.5 on the pH scale. Additional magnolia info for growing healthy trees involves routine lawn maintenance. Note that not all magnolia trees can be planted in containers, but the smaller ones (around 10 feet tall) will do well being incubated in this way. And while standard magnolia varieties can reach 80 feet in height, several smaller cultivars max out at 20 feet tall. Step 1 - Choosing the Right Species The star magnolia, ann magnolia, and southern magnolia ( Little Gem cultivars ) are … How to Grow Healthy Magnolia Trees. Process. This means that a magnolia grown in a container or pot can brighten even a small space, and it can be moved to suit your (and your tree’s) needs. Star, Ann and Southern Magnolias all can be grown in containers, even Saucer Magnolias at a push if you have a big enough container. Here are some of the most well-known types of magnolia trees: Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) Saucer magnolia (Magnolia ×soulangiana) Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) Loebner magnolia (Magnolia ×loebneri) Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) Cucumber tree (Magnolia acuminata) PLANTING MAGNOLIAS. Magnolia tree bark and wood are easily damaged by flying debris from a lawn mower and by string trimmers. Magnolia trees in Pots CHOOSE THE RIGHT POT OR PLANTER FOR MAGNOLIA TREE. Remember magnolias are trees and will have a complex root system that needs feeding and watering, more than other plants in containers. Most average garden soils fall between a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Testing Soil pH . Named selections such as ‘Little Gem,’ ‘Teddy Bear,’ and Bracken’s Brown Beauty’ start blooming much earlier.