🌸 Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia × soulangeana)

Quick Profile

• Type: Deciduous tree or large shrub

• Size: 20–30 feet tall and wide

• Bloom Time: Early to mid-spring (before leaves emerge)

• Flower Color: Pink, purple, or white—often bi-toned

• Form: Upright and spreading with a rounded canopy

Highlights

• Large, goblet-shaped flowers (hence the name “saucer”) can span 5–10 inches across.

• Hybrid of M. denudata and M. liliiflora, bred for both beauty and adaptability.

• Excellent as a standalone focal point in lawns, courtyards, or near patios.

• Prefers full sun to part shade and slightly acidic, well-drained soil.

• Can be damaged by late frosts, especially in zones where spring weather is unpredictable.

Good to Know

• Leaves appear after flowering, allowing full view of the blooms.

• Tends to sucker at the base—prune when young to maintain a strong central leader if desired.

🌟 Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)

Quick Profile

• Type: Deciduous small tree or large shrub

• Size: 10–20 feet tall and wide

• Bloom Time: Very early spring (often the first magnolia to bloom)

• Flower Color: Pure white or pale pink

• Form: Rounded, compact, and multi-stemmed

Highlights

• Flowers are star-shaped, with 12–18 slender, strap-like petals.

• More cold-hardy and slightly more tolerant of urban conditions than Saucer Magnolia.

• A favorite for small gardens, foundation plantings, or under power lines.

• Grows slower and stays smaller—perfect for more confined spaces.

Good to Know

• Fragrant blooms emerge before leaves, making it a dazzling early-season show.

• Less susceptible to frost damage than saucer varieties, but still vulnerable in harsh swings.

🌳 Choosing Between the Two

🌸 Best Saucer Magnolia Cultivars for Alabama

1. ‘Jane’

• Flower: Reddish-purple outside, white inside

• Size: 10–15 ft tall (smaller than typical Saucer types)

• Perks: Late bloomer, so it often escapes late frosts

• Great for: Small yards, urban gardens

2. ‘Alexandrina’

• Flower: Large, deep rose-purple petals

• Size: 20–25 ft tall

• Perks: One of the showiest; long-lasting blooms

• Great for: Focal points in wide open spaces

3. ‘Brozzonii’

• Flower: White with a purple base

• Size: 20–30 ft tall

• Perks: Reliable blooming even in inconsistent weather

• Great for: Classic southern landscapes

4. ‘Lennei’

• Flower: Deep purple-maroon outside, white inside

• Size: 15–20 ft tall

• Perks: Very dramatic flowers and strong form

• Great for: Formal gardens or landscape centerpieces

🌟 Best Star Magnolia Cultivars for Alabama

1. ‘Royal Star’

• Flower: Fragrant, white double blooms (up to 25 petals)

• Size: 10–15 ft tall

• Perks: More cold-tolerant, blooms later than others

• Great for: Shrub borders or small front yards

2. ‘Waterlily’

• Flower: Pale pink to white, star-shaped, very fragrant

• Size: 10–15 ft tall

• Perks: Dense bloom clusters; a strong performer in Zone 7–8

• Great for: Cottage gardens and low-maintenance borders

3. ‘Centennial’

• Flower: Large white with a hint of pink

• Size: 15–20 ft tall

• Perks: Vigorous grower with early blooming power

• Great for: More naturalistic or semi-wild settings

🌱 Tips for Alabama Gardeners

• Planting Time: Best in fall or very early spring, so roots establish before summer heat.

• Soil: Magnolia roots dislike disturbance, so pick a permanent location. Add organic matter if your soil’s heavy.

• Frost Warnings: Even in Alabama, a late frost can nip early buds. Choosing later bloomers like ‘Jane’ or ‘Royal Star’ helps prevent heartbreak.

• Mulch: Helps with moisture retention and temperature moderation—important in our fluctuating spring weather.