Magnolia virginiana 'Glauca'

Sweetbay Magnolia

Magnolia virginiana ‘Glauca’ is a deciduous to semi-evergreen small tree, often treated in references as sweetbay magnolia under the older synonym Magnolia glauca rather than as a clearly distinct, established cultivar. It is valued for creamy white, lemon-fragrant flowers, glossy green leaves with silvery-blue undersides, and an elegant, often multi-stemmed habit. In colder areas it is usually deciduous; in warmer climates it can remain semi-evergreen longer.

Type: Deciduous to semi-evergreen tree
Mature Size: 10–20' W x 10–35' H
USDA Zones: 5b–9b
Form: Upright oval to rounded, often multi-stemmed, graceful and somewhat open to dense with age
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil / Water: Moist, acidic, organically rich, well-drained to wet soil; medium to high water, especially during establishment; tolerant of boggy sites
Bloom Time / Length: Late spring into summer, often May–June, sometimes with scattered repeat bloom afterward
Wildlife: Fragrant flowers support pollinators, and the seeds are eaten by birds.

Features & Landscape Uses: Excellent for specimen planting, rain gardens, pond edges, naturalized settings, and other moist or low sites where many magnolias would struggle. The silvery leaf undersides add movement and contrast, and the fragrant flowers extend the season later than many spring-blooming magnolias.

Care: Plant in sun to part shade in acidic soil that stays evenly moist. Mulch to keep roots cool, water regularly during establishment, and avoid prolonged drought. In colder zone 5 sites, a somewhat protected location is helpful.

One note: RHS lists ‘Glauca’ with name status “not established,” while Missouri Botanical Garden treats Magnolia glauca as a synonym of the species, so this name is often used in the trade more like an older botanical name than a reliably distinct cultivar. 

Plant type

Deciduous Tree, Flowering Ornamental Tree

Height

10-35

Width

10-20'

Hardiness zones

5–9

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