A spectacular ornamental tree whose breathtaking blooms are visible in late spring and early summer, the Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) features 2"-3" creamy white flowers that exude a light lemon scent. Its glistening dark green leaves exhibit silver undersides that have a frosted appearance. Elegantly shaped, this columnar or vase-like beauty is a good choice for a specimen or patio. In the late summer, the Sweetbay Magnolia is adorned with ripening, scarlet-red seed fruit that attracts numerous birds. Accepting full sun to partial shade, this magnificent magnolia is found in zones 5 to 9 in the United States. Tolerant of soil that's acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, silty loam, well drained, and/or wet, the Sweetbay grows at a medium to fast rate*, and reaches heights of 10 to 20 feet with equal spread. *Growth rate refers to the vertical increase unless specified differently. Rate, as is true for size, is influenced by myriad variable such as soil, drainage, water, fertility, light, exposure, etc. Arbor Day Foundation designations are as follows: slow growth rate=12" or less per year; medium rate=13" to 24" of growth per year; fast rate=25" or more per year.
This color coordinated collection of fashion fabrics was first featured in our Vogue Fabrics By Mail Spring 2011 catalog of swatches. Subscribe to receive home delivery of these catalogs every other month.
