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Magnolias have a large canopy that dominates the landscape. You can’t help but focus your attention on their huge spread of glossy green leaves, fragrant white flowers, and exotic cones that sometimes fill with bright red berries. If you’re wondering what you can plant with these beautiful trees, we’re here to help.
Selecting magnolia companion plants can be a challenge. If you have an evergreen variety, anything you plant under the tree must tolerate the deepest shade. Deciduous varieties have the additional challenge of managing the large, leathery, and sometimes crispy leaves that fall from the tree.
If you’re up to the task, deciduous varieties allow you to plant some early spring-flowering plants that like partial or filtered sun beneath the branches.
Magnolia trees are known for their elegant blooms and graceful form, making them a focal point in any garden. But a beautiful magnolia tree alone does not make a landscape. The area around the magnolia is just as important for creating an inviting outdoor space.
In this article, we’ll explore creative ideas to help you design a stunning landscape that complements your magnolia tree’s natural beauty. Whether you want to highlight your magnolia or use it as part of a cohesive design, proper planning and plant selection are key.
Choose the Right Location
When incorporating a magnolia tree into your landscape, site selection is crucial. Most magnolias thrive in full sun to partial shade. Check the specific variety to understand its sunlight needs. Proper sunlight helps the tree develop dense foliage and abundant blooms.
Magnolias also require well-drained soil, as wet feet can lead to root rot. Before planting, assess your drainage and amend heavy clay soils with compost to improve porosity. Select a spot that allows enough room for the tree to reach maturity. Saucers and star magnolias may spread 15-20 feet wide, while southern magnolias can stretch 40 feet or more.
Select Complementary Plants
The plants around your magnolia play a big role in the overall look and feel of your garden. Choose companion plants adapted to the same conditions for optimal growth. Here are some excellent options:
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Evergreens: Hollies, boxwoods, and pines provide year-round structure and versatility. Place them strategically to frame views or direct foot traffic.
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Flowering shrubs: Azaleas, hydrangeas, and rhododendrons add pops of seasonal color. For continuous blooms, include early, mid, and late-season varieties.
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Perennials and groundcovers: Hostas, ferns, and vinca offer texture contrast and provide filler in empty spaces.
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Annuals: Zinnias, marigolds, and petunias are perfect for a burst of summer color. Use them in beds, pots, or along walkways.
Aim for a variety of heights, forms, and foliage types to create an appealing layered look.
Design Inviting Pathways
Incorporating pathways enhances the functionality and visual appeal of your magnolia garden. Paths create movement and draw visitors from space to space.
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Use gently curving lines that meander organically around garden beds and the magnolia tree. Straight paths may feel unnatural unless you’re aiming for a formal look.
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Hardscape materials like stone, pavers, or gravel complement natural settings. Ensure accessibility with a minimum width of 3 feet.
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Extend the path around the magnolia tree to provide up-close viewing access from all sides.
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Include benches or garden art along the paths to create focal points and destinations.
Provide Proper Care
Magnolias require routine care and maintenance to support healthy growth. This allows the tree to reach its full potential as a spectacular centerpiece in your landscape.
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Water deeply around the tree every 7-10 days during dry periods. Soak the entire root zone, not just the trunk.
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Apply 2-4 inches of organic mulch like shredded bark annually to retain moisture and nourish the soil as it decomposes.
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Prune crossing or damaged branches in late winter. Avoid excessive pruning, as magnolias are sensitive.
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Monitor for pests like scale insects or leaf spot fungus and treat organically at the first signs of infection. Prevention is key.
With creative vision and thoughtful plant choices, you can design a stunning landscape around your magnolia tree. Follow proper care guidelines for a healthy, vibrant garden that immerses visitors in natural beauty. Let your magnolia tree inspire your next gardening project!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good companion plants for magnolia trees?
Evergreens, flowering shrubs like azaleas and rhododendrons, perennials, annuals, and groundcovers make excellent companion plants for magnolias. Choose options adapted to the same sunlight and soil needs.
How can I highlight my magnolia tree?
Use strategically placed plants and garden structures to frame focal views of your magnolia tree. Curving pathways invite movement around the tree. Accent the magnolia with benches or statuary. Spotlight the tree at night with gentle lighting.
What kind of pathway material works best?
Natural stone, pavers, gravel, and decomposed granite blend well with informal, organic garden designs featuring magnolias. Ensure accessibility with 3-foot wide paths. Hardscape materials enhance structure and define circulation.
When should I prune my magnolia tree?
Prune magnolia trees in late winter before new growth emerges in spring. Remove dead or damaged branches, crossing limbs, and any suckers sprouting from the base. Avoid heavy pruning, as magnolias are sensitive.
How can I boost blooms on my magnolia tree?
Provide full sun, ample space, rich organic soil, consistent moisture, and annual pruning for vigorous magnolia trees that produce abundant flowers. Avoid drastic pruning and be diligent about treating pests and diseases.
What Grows Good with Magnolias?
There are companions for magnolia trees regardless of the type. Let’s take a look at some options.
Camellias are lovely shrubs with flowers that echo the shape and texture of magnolia flowers, but in a smaller size and wider range of colors. The blossoms appear in late fall or early spring, depending on variety, in shades of white, pink, and red. They need light shade. The leaves scorch when they get too much sun, and they don’t bloom well when they get too much shade. Plant camellias near but not directly under a magnolia.
Bulbs make ideal magnolia tree companions. Plant them along the edge of the canopy, or a little further in if you have a deciduous magnolia. Bulbs look their best in groupings. Choose a mixture of spring, summer, and fall bulbs so that you always have something in bloom.
Daffodils and dwarf irises are among the first to bloom, and a mix of bright yellow daffodils and purple dwarf irises never fails to make you think of little girls in their bright Easter dresses. You can find daffodils in pink and white as well as the traditional yellow. Most summer and fall-blooming bulbs are going to need a lot of sunlight. Many of them grow well in containers, so you can shuffle them around as the seasons change to help them catch just the right amount of light.