Saucer magnolia is a deciduous tree or large shrub in the magnolia family (Magnoliaceae). It is a hybrid cross between M. denudata and M. liliiflora that grows 15 to 33 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide. This tree has a fleshy root system that requires plenty of room. It prefers consistent and regular moisture in well-drained, acidic, loamy, organically enriched soils and full sun to partial shade. It needs a site protected from strong winds and late frosts that can kill its late winter blooming flowers. Avoid southern exposures near structures (which absorb and reradiate heat), as the extra warm may encourage the buds to open too early and be damaged by subsequent frosts. Plant late-flowering cultivars to avoid severe frost damage. This tree is mildly resistant to damage by deer and tolerates air pollution. Saucer magnolia makes a great specimen or lawn tree planted in a park or recreation area. Its flowers also provide beauty next to a patio or in a children’s garden. Quick ID Hints: Multi-trunked or main branches low on trunk. Gigantic cup-shaped flowers before leaves in late winter. Nine petal segments are whitish on the inside and pinkish-purple on the outside. Leaves have a sharply pointed apex. Bark is smooth and gray and is fragrant when crushed. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Soft magnolia scale produces honeydew that leads to black sooty mold. Leaf spot and canker can be troublesome. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for " Trees, Shrubs and Conifers " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Magnolia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet
Mature size
Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 33 ft. 0 in. | Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Multi-trunked; Rounded; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblong; Obovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Alternate, simple, entire margins, acute, rotund, entire, obovate to oblong, 3"-6", and the apex is pointed. They are dark green above and velutinous pubescent below. In the fall, leaves turn yellow-brown before abscission.
Fall color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
> 6 inches
Flower detail
Flowers are cup-shaped, solitary, slightly fragrant, terminal, erect, cupulate, and 4.7"-10" in diameter. They have 9 perianth segments, are obovate-spatulate, and are concave at the tip. In mid-spring before leaves emerge, showy tepals are white on the inside and pink-purple on the outside, and grow up to 4" long and 3" wide. Buds are silky pubescent, and are less than an inch long.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Aggregate; Follicle
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
1-3 inches long
Fruit detail
Fruits are a multicelled, cone-like aggregates. They are 2" long. Seeds are red-orange in color and emerge from slits.
Bark color
Dark Gray; Light Gray
Bark detail
Smooth, gray, shows sapsucker damage (horizontal rows of 1/4 inch holes)
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Stem detail
Stems are brown and glabrous with gray lenticiels. Large terminal flower buds that are hairy appear on stems one year ahead of bloom.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Is the larval food source for saddleback caterpillars. Magnolia soft scale produces honeydew that bees love.