3 named cultivars

shrub

Saucer Magnolia

Magnolia x soulangeana

$89.95

The Story

Plant Bio

Magnolia x soulangeana, the saucer magnolia, is a broad multi-trunked deciduous tree raised in France in the 1820s, reaching fifteen to thirty-three feet with an equally wide rounded crown. Smooth grey bark carries large furry flower buds through winter, and cup-shaped flowers over six inches across, white inside and stained purple-pink outside, open before the leaves.

The flowers are large, waxy and among the first out, which makes them very vulnerable — one late frost turns a whole tree brown for the year. Site it away from early morning sun so frosted buds thaw slowly, and choose a later-flowering cultivar if your springs are unreliable. Note that it hosts saddleback caterpillars, whose spines sting sharply on contact.

Uses & Benefits:

Enormous cup-shaped flowers on bare branches in early spring, on a broad and handsome frame.

A long-lived specimen tree that casts useful summer shade once established.

Provides early nectar, and birds take the red-orange seed from the cone-like fruit in autumn.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

240 inches

Width

180 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Garden hybrid raised in France

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Garden Goods Direct

In Stock$89.95

Fast Growing Trees

In Stock$139.95

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Planting

How to Grow

Allow twenty-five feet of width before planting.
Choose a sheltered spot away from early morning sun.
Plant in moist, humus-rich, slightly acid soil.
Water deeply through the first several summers.
Mulch the shallow roots, keeping it off the trunk.
Prune only dead wood, straight after flowering.

Pro Tip

Magnolias heal poorly from big cuts, so shape decisions belong at planting — choose the right size cultivar rather than pruning later.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it twenty-five feet of width 📏
Shelter it from early morning sun 🌤️
Mulch over the shallow roots 🍂
Wear gloves when handling foliage 🧤

Don't

Plant it close to a house or drive ❌
Prune it hard to control size ❌
Handle stinging caterpillars bare-handed ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mulch
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Large lawn specimen treeSpring focal point with room to spreadShade tree in a big open garden

Companion Plants

Hellebore Daffodil Epimedium HostaAutumn Fern

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Saucer Magnolia questions

What zones can Saucer Magnolia grow in?

Saucer Magnolia is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Saucer Magnolia deer resistant?

Yes — Saucer Magnolia is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Saucer Magnolia bloom?

Saucer Magnolia typically blooms in early spring through mid-spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Saucer Magnolia need full sun?

Saucer Magnolia does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.