3 named cultivars

shrub

Lily Magnolia

The Story

Plant Bio

Magnolia liliiflora, lily magnolia, is a compact multi-stemmed deciduous shrub native to eastern China, reaching eight to twelve feet. Slender goblet-shaped flowers in purple outside and near-white within open over several weeks in spring, and unlike the larger magnolias they appear alongside the emerging leaves rather than on entirely bare wood.

Flowering later than star or saucer magnolia is its real advantage — the blooms usually miss the late frosts that brown those earlier species most years. It stays genuinely shrub-sized, and it is one parent of the widely planted 'Little Girl' hybrids bred at the US National Arboretum for exactly that late-flowering, compact habit.

Uses & Benefits:

Slender purple goblet flowers over several weeks in spring, on a shrub-sized plant.

Flowers late enough to escape most frosts, and stays small enough for a courtyard.

Early flowers are pollinated by beetles, as with all magnolias — an ancient relationship predating bees.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

120 inches

Width

120 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Eastern China

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring in moist, acidic, humus-rich soil.
Choose full sun to partial shade with shelter from wind.
Allow eight to twelve feet of width.
Water through the first two seasons.
Mulch to protect the shallow fleshy roots.
Prune only after flowering, and minimally.

Pro Tip

Disturb the roots as little as possible — magnolia roots are fleshy, shallow and slow to recover, so plant once and avoid digging nearby.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in acidic, humus-rich soil 🌱
Mulch to protect shallow roots 🍂
Shelter from cold wind 🍃
Prune lightly, after flowering ✂️

Don't

Dig or cultivate near the roots ❌
Plant in alkaline or dry soil ❌
Prune in winter and lose the flowers ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Compact spring-flowering specimenShrub border and courtyard plantingLarge container in a sheltered spot

Companion Plants

HostaHellebore Christmas Fern Azalea Japanese Maple

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Lily Magnolia questions

What zones can Lily Magnolia grow in?

Lily Magnolia is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Lily Magnolia deer resistant?

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

When does Lily Magnolia bloom?

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

Does Lily Magnolia need full sun?

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