When Do Magnolias Bloom? (Blooming time & pattern explained)
In their bloom, Magnolia trees are extremely beautiful and have a very strong and breathtaking fragrance. Being a quintessential feature of the south, these plants are found all over the USA, especially in the southern regions like Texas, Florida, etc, and are well known for their large waxy leaves and exceptionally fragrant flowers.
As these are such a big hit in the region, people visit to see these flowers in full bloom. Below we will discuss one of the most commonly asked questions, which is when do Magnolias bloom. Keep reading to know all about it.
When do Magnolias bloom?
Magnolias exist in a lot of species. Depending on the type of Magnolia species and the place where it grows, they bloom from late winters to midsummer, generally from February to June.
A range of Magnolias, including the Sweet Bay and Southern Magnolias bloom their wide cup-like petals during May and June. The Star Magnolia acts as the torchbearer of warm weather as it blooms from late March through the end of April. Watch this video to know about the different types of Magnolia plants and their blooming pattern along with their care guide.
Here are some of the blooming patterns of Magnolia depending upon the place where they grow.
Texas
Magnolias thrive beautifully in Texas due to their warm climate and temperate winds. The Star Magnolia is very often found along with some other common types of Magnolia plants. These usually bloom in the early spring, from February to April.
Magnolia stellate or the Star Magnolia does exceptionally well in Texas’s environment and blooms really well. They are small in size and have very beautiful star-shaped flowers.
California
California has multiple hardiness zones and a variety of Magnolia plants grow there. As a result, there is no set blooming time. Depending upon the location and the species, there is an array of blooming periods among Californian Magnolia trees. However, many species share a common blooming period which is between early and late spring, generally around March and April.
A hybrid species of Magnolia x soulangiana or Saucer Magnolias do very well in California. They are found in regions with hardiness five through eight. This is one of the rare Magnolia varieties prone to blooming twice, once in Spring, another during July.
Florida
Florida heat is optimum for the growth of Magnolia trees. In Florida, Magnolias generally bloom in early-midsummer, which falls around May-June. Magnolia grandiflora or the Southern Magnolia grows perfectly in Florida. Compared to other types of Magnolia, this is a very easygoing plant. It’s massive in size and does not mind occasional shade. This plant needs to be replanted very delicately as it has tender roots.
St. Louis
St. Louis is home to a variety of Magnolia plants. In these Southern regions, one of the most commonly found plants is Bracken’s Black Beauty. This plant blooms in the summer and the leaves are present in the tree all year round.
Sweet Bay Magnolias also bloom here, during summer but they shed their leaves in winters. A very uncommon species of Magnolia called the Cucumber tree is native to Missouri and it blooms small yellow-green flowers in April.
How long do Magnolias bloom?
Magnolia flowers generally do not have a long life. Even after being cared for extensively, they last for about two weeks.
These flowers stay on the plant for nearly two weeks before falling off. Apart from the main flowering period, there are certain early and late blooms as well.
Be sure to take care of your Magnolias properly, especially when they are in bloom. Water it abundantly to prevent the flowers from drooping before time.
Do Magnolia Trees bloom every year?
Yes. Considering that the Magnolias are of the right age, in proper climatic condition, and do not bear any irregularities, they are bound to bloom every year. Magnolia trees once bloomed, generally bloom for the rest of their lives. This is only an exception to unhealthy Magnolia plants and those which have been newly planted.
Newly planted Magnolias require a lot of energy to establish themselves in their new home and accommodate as required to survive healthily. Therefore, they channel all the energy required in blooming to the settling process.
Similarly, Magnolias with irregularities or those which are damaged do not bloom. If the plant has been harmed in any way by physical injury, pests, frosts, etc, they channel all its energy and resources towards recovering rather than blooming.
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How do you keep Magnolias blooming?
You can keep your Magnolias blooming by catering to their optimum requirements.
Temperature
Magnolias cannot withstand extremely cold climates. They bloom perfectly in warm weather and springtime. You can keep your Magnolias blooming by protecting the bud against frost. Make sure that the temperature does not drop between 20 to -10 degrees Celcius, otherwise it might damage your plant.
Sunlight
Magnolia flowers bloom perfectly in spots with full sunlight. They tolerate partial shade but the best results are received with full sunlight situations.
Soil
The best kind of soil for Magnolias is fairly rich, highly trained, and neutral to slightly acidic. Poor soil can lead to failure in the proper blooming of Magnolias. Watch this YouTube video to know how your Magnolias can bloom beautifully – Care guide for your Magnolias
Can Magnolias bloom twice a year?
Yes, Magnolias can bloom twice a year but it is a very rare trait. Most species of Magnolias bloom only once a year, which is during their blooming period. Some varieties or Magnolias bloom once in early spring and once in late summer, that is, in April and July.
The Chinese or Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana) is the type of Magnolia plant that blooms twice a year.
The species and the health of the tree play a big role in how often the plant blooms. If you prefer Magnolia trees that bloom more than once, you have to be very selective about what you choose.
Magnolias are high-maintenance plants. They need to be careful accurately otherwise they don’t bloom. Keep the optimum sunlight, which is generally high, rich, well-drained soil, and water them quite often.
How Old Does A Magnolia Tree Have To Be To Bloom?
The age at which a Magnolia tree has to bloom depends upon its variety. Some species of Magnolia do not bloom till they are as old as ten years, while some bloom at a young age of three.
Magnolia trees have a life span of around 120 years. So, waiting for 10 years for them to bloom doesn’t ideally sound bad.
How do you winterize a Magnolia tree?
Many Magnolia trees are deciduous trees, which means they lose their leaves in winter, but some plants like the Southern Magnolia are an evergreen variety of Magnolia and never lose their leaves. However, this is not common in most Magnolias. If you want Magnolias that will remain leafy and green all year long, you should opt for evergreen Southern Magnolia.
Magnolias are the herald of warm weather, so they do not like harsh winters, especially untimely frost. If your Magnolias are in bloom already, but you are expecting frost, you can winterize the tree by mulching its bottom. If you have a tree that is small in size, cover it entirely.
A small number of frosts might not kill your Magnolia but it will severely damage it that is for sure. Especially younger blooms will be harmed majorly by this situation. Magnolias do not thrive in cold situations. They can tolerate all zones other than five through nine.
Depending upon the zone in which you live, you need to follow your Magnolia care routine. If you are in zone seven. You do not need to worry about winterizing your plant. However, if you live in zone six and colder you should mulch your Magnolia and not fertilize in the off-season.
Some species like the Star Magnolia, which are hardy and strong, can survive through colder regions like zone four with little care and protection.
After the winter season is over, the threat of frost has passed. Followed by that comes the time to prune the tree carefully. Be sure not to over-prune your Magnolias as it will make the recovery difficult. Take a look at this article to know everything about caring for your Magnolias in Winter.
