Magnolia virginiana australis

australis sweetbay Magnolia

Magnolia virginiana var. australis is a deciduous to evergreen small tree, often called southern or evergreen sweetbay magnolia, valued for its creamy white, lemon-fragrant flowers, narrow glossy leaves with silvery undersides, and a more tree-like, evergreen habit than typical Magnolia virginiana. It is especially useful in the South and in moist sites, where it brings a lighter, more refined look than southern magnolia.

Type: Deciduous to evergreen tree
Mature Size: 10–20' W x 20–30' H
USDA Zones: 6b–9b
Form: Upright oval to rounded, often becoming a small to medium, multi-stemmed or single-trunk tree
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil / Water: Moist, rich, acidic, well-drained to wet soil; medium to high water; tolerates boggy soils better than most magnolias
Bloom Time / Length: Late spring into summer, often with scattered additional bloom
Wildlife: Flowers support pollinators, seeds attract birds, and sweetbay magnolia also serves as a host plant for several butterflies and moths.

Features & Landscape Uses: Excellent for specimen planting, rain gardens, pond and stream edges, naturalized settings, and other low or moist sites. Compared with the typical species, var. australis is more tree-like and better adapted to the southern U.S., making it a strong choice where an evergreen native magnolia is wanted without the heavy look of Magnolia grandiflora.

Care: Plant in acidic, organically rich soil and keep it evenly moist while establishing. Mulch to keep roots cool, water during dry periods, and site it in sun to part shade. In colder edge-of-range areas, a protected location is helpful

Plant type

Deciduous Tree

Height

20'

Width

10-20'

Hardiness zones

6–9

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Early Summer, Late Spring

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies

Soil

Moist well-drained, Rich, Slightly Acidic

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Specimen

Shape

Oval/Rounded, Upright

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No