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Magnolia virginiana

Sweet Bay is the smaller cousin of the traditional majestic Southern Magnolia. Commonly found near swamps, this semi-deciduous tree features dark green foliage with a silvery shimmer on the underside of the leaves. In the spring tight buds open into creamy white, cup-shaped flowers that close in the evening and open in the morning. Because it blooms later than other Magnolias, Sweet Bay is not as easily damaged by frost. The female flowers develop into red aggregated berries similar to elongated raspberries that eventually burst exposing bright orange seeds.

Native to the coastal plains in the Southeastern US, these trees can be found as far North as New York but they only remain evergreen in warmer climates. While Sweet Bays prefer partial shade and wet soil, they do need at least 4 hours of midday sun to thrive. Plant as a feature or in groups to create privacy, in the cooler zones they tend to present more as a single trunked shrub topping out at about 20 feet tall. In warmer climates the canopy spreads and they can reach mature heights of 10-15 feet tall and wide.

Arrives to you in a 2 gallon-sized pot.