Magnolia 'Susan'

Susan Magnolia

Magnolia ‘Susan’ (Susan Magnolia) is a deciduous shrub or small tree with a compact, upright to rounded habit. It produces slightly fragrant, goblet-shaped purple-red to fuchsia flowers with paler interiors in mid-spring, just before the foliage appears, and may rebloom lightly in midsummer. As one of the Little Girl magnolias, it blooms later than many early magnolias, which helps reduce frost damage.

Type: Shrub / small tree
Mature Size: 8–12' W × 8–12' H
USDA Zones: 4a–8b
Form: Compact, upright to rounded

Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil / Water: Rich, moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soils; moderate water, prefers consistent moisture
Bloom Time / Length: Mid-spring; moderate (about 2–3 weeks), with occasional light rebloom in midsummer

Wildlife: Bees

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for specimen planting, foundation beds, mixed shrub borders, and small gardens. Its compact size, rich flower color, and later bloom time make it especially useful in colder regions where early magnolias can be damaged by spring frosts.

Care:
Plant in a protected site with fertile, well-drained soil and avoid hot, dry exposures. Water regularly while establishing, mulch to keep roots cool and evenly moist, and prune only if needed just after flowering.

Plant type

Flowering Ornamental Tree

Height

8-12'

Width

8-12'

Hardiness zones

4–8

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Slow

Bloom time

Mid Spring

Flower color

Lavender

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Attracts

Bees

Soil

Moist well-drained, Rich, Slightly Acidic

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Corner Accent, Privacy Screen, Specimen

Shape

Compact, Oval, Rounded, Upright

Bark

Smooth

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No