You’ll be drawn to the garden on the scent-alone with the Sweet Bay Magnolia, Magnolia virginiana. In May and June creamy white flowers about 2-3″ in diameter emit a heady lemony scent that will perfume the yard when blooming. Large shiny green foliage with a silvery underside forms a stunning evergreen tree. Unlike most Magnolias, the Sweet Bay Magnolia is tolerant of wet and boggy soils, but may also be grown in average conditions as well. Ideal for softening corners, in the center of a rain garden, or as an anchor tree in a garden.

Plant Sweet Bay Magnolia in sun to part shade locations. Add compost or other organic matter to the soil when planting. Use a starter fertilizer like Espoma Bio-tone Starter to get your plants off to a quick start. Keep well watered when establishing plants, and when plants are setting up buds and blooming.