Full Grown Yellow Magnolia Trees: A Captivating Garden Addition
Magnolia trees are beloved for their graceful form, attractive foliage, and spectacular spring blooms. While the classic Southern magnolia is known for its huge white flowers, yellow varieties have been gaining popularity for their cheery blossoms that brighten gardens. When allowed to reach maturity, these trees become truly captivating landscape specimens.
In this article, we’ll explore the virtues of full grown yellow magnolias, including their stunning floral displays, growth habits, and care. We’ll also look at how to best showcase mature magnolias as focal points in your outdoor space.
Reaching Their Mature Size
On average, most yellow magnolia varieties take 10-20 years to reach their maximum height and width. Exact dimensions can vary, but you can expect a full grown specimen to measure:
- Height: 25-40 feet tall
- Width: 15-30 feet wide
Some types may only grow 15-25 feet tall and wide, while the tallest can potentially reach 60 feet high. No matter the exact size, a mature magnolia becomes a striking feature wherever it’s situated. The gracefully spreading canopy provides ample room to showcase those incredible blossoms.
Spectacular Yellow Blooms
The payoff for patiently nurturing a magnolia tree is the phenomenal floral display they produce each spring. When fully mature, the branches become smothered with literally hundreds of flowers. The blooms emerge before the leaves, allowing them to really stand out against the bare branches.
The blossoms come in various vibrant shades of yellow ranging from soft lemon to rich gold. They have an elegant cup or tulip shape formed by the wide spreading petals. Inside eye-catching reddish stamens ring a central pistil. Magnolia flowers also fill the air with their sweet, citrusy fragrance.
Popular Large VarietiesMany types of yellow magnolias make excellent full size specimen trees Here are some top choices
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‘Elizabeth’ – Grows 25-40 feet tall and wide with giant 12+ inch primrose yellow blooms
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‘Butterflies’ – Typically 25-30 feet tall and prolific with smaller yellow blossoms.
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‘Gold Finch’ – Up to 30 feet tall with rich golden blooms in abundance.
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‘Ivory Chalice’ – Can reach 30-40 feet in both height and width with ivory cup-shaped flowers.
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‘Yellow Bird’ – Matures around 40 feet tall and smothers itself in yellow goblet blooms.
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‘Hot Flash’ – Maxes out around 30 feet tall and has unique bi-colored yellow blossoms.
When selecting a variety, consider the mature dimensions to ensure adequate space. But any of these trees will shine as full grown specimens.
Caring for Mature Trees
Taking proper care of your magnolia as it ages will keep it healthy and blooming strongly each year. Here are some key tips:
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Water deeply once per week during dry spells. Established trees are somewhat drought tolerant but need irrigation during extreme heat.
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Feed in early spring with a balanced fertilizer to nourish flowering and growth.
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Prune to shape in late winter if needed, taking care not to remove flower buds.
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Watch for pests like scales, borers, and root weevils and treat organically at first sight.
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Prevent diseases like leaf spot, powdery mildew, and root rot with good cultural practices.
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Site in a sheltered area away from strong winds which can damage blooms.
Avoid invasive cultivation around the root zone that could harm surface roots. Keep the area beneath the canopy clean by removing fallen leaves, flowers, and debris.
Showcasing in the Landscape
A mature magnolia deserves a prominent place in your landscape where it can take center stage. Here are some great ways to showcase it:
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Use as a striking focal point in the front yard or near an entryway where it will draw attention.
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Plant as a specimen tree surrounded by lower ornamental plantings and mulch beds.
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Highlight it against a neutral backdrop like a wall or fence to make it pop.
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Complement with flowers in contrasting colors like purple irises or red tulips.
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Illuminate at night with landscape lighting focused on the canopy for drama.
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Train the lower branches into an archway over a path or seating area.
Take time to find the perfect spot to give your golden magnolia the limelight it deserves as a graceful anchor in your garden.
5 Top Performers as Full Grown Specimens
To give you a better idea of what to expect from mature yellow magnolias, here’s a closer look at 5 top options:
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Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’ – This popular 25-40 foot tall variety is beloved for its huge 12+ inch primrose yellow blooms with a pinkish interior on bare branches in early spring. The pyramidal form makes a dramatic focal point.
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Magnolia ‘Butterflies’ – Typically growing 25-30 feet tall, this magnolia is prolific with smaller bright yellow blossoms that bloom later in spring to avoid frost damage. The dense pyramidal shape works well in tight spaces.
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Magnolia ‘Gold Cup’ – This variety matures around 25 feet tall and 20 feet wide. It produces loads of rich golden goblet-shaped blooms even when young. The spreading form gives it a lovely full shape.
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Magnolia ‘Hot Flash’ – Maxing out around 30 feet tall, this magnolia has unique bi-colored blooms in yellow with a pink blush. It flowers heavily on a dense pyramidal frame.
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Magnolia ‘Daybreak’ – With its vibrant golden blooms fading to pale yellow later in spring, this variety can reach 40 feet tall and 30 feet wide at maturity. The dense oval growth habit is great for privacy.
Bring Some Sunshine to Your Landscape
When given room to reach their full potential, yellow magnolias transform into truly breathtaking landscape specimens. Their massive floral displays in vibrant yellow hues are an incredible spring sight to behold. Take time to pick the perfect variety for your space, then nurture it to maturity. With proper care and prime placement, your golden magnolia will become a beloved focal point for years to come.
Avoid These 5 Five Mistakes When Growing and Planting Magnolias
FAQ
How big does a yellow magnolia tree get?
| Hardiness | 4 – 8 |
|---|---|
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Seasons | Spring (Late) |
| Height | 30′ – 40′ (9.1m – 12.2m) |
| Spread | 25′ – 30′ (7.6m – 9.1m) |
Are yellow magnolia trees rare?
Yellow magnolias are less common than their pink magnolia cousins and come in shades from pale apricot to rich butter. Grown for their flower colour, yellow magnolias’ variable habit allows them to be grown in gardens of all sizes.
What are the downsides of magnolia trees?
- Large size: Some magnolia varieties can grow quite large, so ensure you have ample space to accommodate them at maturity.
- Shallow roots: Magnolias have shallow root systems, which can make them susceptible to damage from strong winds or nearby construction.
Where should you not plant a magnolia tree?
Another common mistake is planting them too close to other plants or garden structures—things like sheds, gazebos, and archways. True, some magnolia are versatile—they can grow as a hedge or be trained to climb up a lattice against a wall. But the majority of magnolia varieties prefer their space.
How tall does a yellow bird Magnolia grow?
A yellow bird magnolia can grow to a height of 20 to 40 feet. Most mature trees have a canopy that starts about 5 feet from the ground. A yellow bird magnolia is a cold-hardy option for a flowering tree. It presents yellow blooms in late spring and attractive foliage through the growing season. How long does a yellow bird magnolia flower?
What is a yellow magnolia tree?
This lovely small tree is a yellow deciduous variety that extends its range well beyond that of evergreen Magnolia. Big beautiful flowers should be viewed up close, so use as an accent around porches, patios or other outdoor living spaces. A favorite of the cottage garden, it won’t grow too large.
How long does a yellow bird magnolia flower?
The blooms of the yellow bird magnolia typically last for about three weeks. The flower buds emerge at the same time as the tree’s foliage. Once the tree begins to flower, the buds open in rapid succession. How fast do yellow bird magnolias grow?
Are yellow-flowered magnolias rare?
While yellow-flowered Magnolias used to be a rarity, many hybrid Magnolias (about 60) are now available in various shades of yellow, ranging from soft to bright yellow, to golden-yellow, or even to orange-yellow. Among these hybrids are Magnolia cultivars that gardeners particularly favor for their spectacular yellow flowers.
What does a magnolia tree look like?
A stunning yellow-flowered Magnolia, with a profusion of elegantly tapered buds that open to large, fragrant, primrose-yellow blooms in spring. Blooms are replaced by large, dark green leaves on the neat, upright, pyramidal form. Well-suited for use as a landscape specimen, and a wonderful shade tree with its wide-spread branches. Deciduous.
What are the tallest yellow magnolia trees?
‘Solar Flair’ is one of the tallest varieties of yellow magnolia with greenish-yellow flowers. This pretty tree is a hybrid of the M. x brooklynensis ‘Woodsman’ and M. ‘Gold Star’ varieties. It has a straight trunked, upright growth habit and reaches heights of up to 30’ tall, making it one of the taller yellow magnolia varieties.