Southern Magnolia Brackens Brown Beauty- strange color back of leaf
Sue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh
5 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (30)
Related Discussions
How hardy is southern magnolia, really?
Comments (42)Actually the hardiest cultivars of Southern Magnolia are hardy to temps between -20°F(-29°C) and -25°F(-31.7°C). But that's for relatively short periods of time (hours, not days). Protection from winter sun and wind are both important in preventing leaf burning. I think winter sun protection is a little more important with this though. Even though a tree might have lots of leaf burning, it often will not have any stem or wood damage. The ideal spot to plant one in a border line area would be against a NW facing wall, which would give plenty of heat during the summer (plus retain some heat longer into the night during winter) and also afford some winter sun protection since the sun sets in the SW during the winter(in the Northern hemisphere). Some people in zone 5 that try to grow Southern Magnolias many times report they act more like deciduous trees in having most all of their leaves burned off during the winter, but releaf out in the spring and bloom, so no wood damage is done. I grow more than 1 dozen cultivars of Southern Magnolia here in zone 6 KS and none have been killed or had much of a problem with winter hardiness. Even the supposedly less winter hardy cultivar 'Little Gem' grows fine for me. I also know of many decent sized trees(30'-50'(9-15m) tall range) in the Kansas City metro area which have been through their all time record low temp of -22°F(-30°C) and the very tough, cold winters of the late 1970's and early 1980's. So, I think in general most Southern Magnolias are zone 6 hardy and a few can make it in protected spots in zone 5. Duration of cold is important as is summer heat. If you live in a colder area with abundant summer heat(temps mostly in the 80's(26°-31°C) or warmer for most of summer), you probably have a better chance at growing Southern Magnolia than an area with little or no summer heat and relatively mild winters....See MoreBuffalo, NY Southern Magnolia update
Comments (31)March 9, 2009 - Update I checked all magnolias - all except for Edith Bogue have burn on their leaves. The burn is not severe, however the winter has been colder and windier than normal. My magnolias normally lose leaves in the spring when new growth begins so I am not too concerned with springtime leaf dropping. The trees have burlap screens on the side where the Sun would normally shine on them in the afternoon and the burlap is on the side that the winds normally come from. I gently "wiggled" random buds on all Magnolias. A stiff rigid bud indicates winter kill and possible die back. All buds that I tested were flexible indicating that they survived to this point. I have done this last year so I am confident that they have survived the worst of this winter....See MoreBracken's Brown beauty magnolia
Comments (20)Joseph Hickman, a well-respected attorney (now deceased) formed his own club of hardy southern magnolia fanciers. His collection of magnolia grandiflora and american Holly still is in Benton, Illinois. In his opinion Brackens was the hardiest. I have done numerous google searches and found many are growing it west of Chicago. Many years ago Dr. Dirr did an article on testing the limits of southern magnolia in the Horticulture magazine in March of 1992. He did a very scientific study and rated some of the hardiest magnolia grandliflora known. In my modest collection I have Edith Bogue, Twenty Four Below, Victoria, Poconos and I had a nursery in Tennessee to root some cuttings from the most exposed of locations that fared the best in winter of the late 70`s here. If everyone was contented with the plants as they were originally where would we be today. People like Mrs. Meservae I`m told wasn`t contented with what she hollies she could grow. With very limited knowledge of genetics, she still made quite a contribution to plant lovers everywhere with the blue hollies rugose/Chinese hollies and rugose and English Holly. I don`t think one should stake their livelihood on growing plants of marginal hardiness, but pushing the limits benefits us all. By the way there are also evergreen forms of magnolia virginiana. I`m experimenting with Henry Hicks Pat McCracken has it as one of his goals to find or create selections of magnolia grandiflora for Zone 4....See MoreSouthern Magnolia in Chicago???
Comments (57)Thanks. I have a "Brackens Brown" that was planted in Sp 2020 at about 30inches. It produced two spectacular flowers that Spring, one the next year and none in 2022. Some minor leaf drop last year so we will see what happens this winter. I live in Homewood about 13 miles from Lake Michigan. The tree is planted in slight shade facing south west. Mississippi native magnolias grow naturally in shaded woods. Yours has responded well to severe weather considering 2014 and 2019 were among the coldest on record for the Chicago region. . Big leaf and Sweet Bay do well in southeastern Cook County if properly sited but are rarely planted. I have not heard Magnolia grandiflora mentioned in the Chicago area especially about its hardiness. I imagine North Shore communities like Evanston -Lake Forest may have had success. I couild not find it in the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. Does your tree produce flowers every year or just two flowers per year?...See Moreken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years agoSue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5Sue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh
5 years agoSue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh
5 years agoSue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh
5 years agoSue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh
5 years agoSue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh
5 years agoSue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh
5 years agokitasei2
last month41 North (Zone 7a/b, NE, coastal)
last monthlast modified: last monthSue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh thanked 41 North (Zone 7a/b, NE, coastal)Sue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh
last monthfour (9B near 9A)
last monthlast modified: last monthSue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh
last monthSue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh
last month
Related Stories
TREESGreat Design Plant: Southern Magnolia, Iconic U.S. Native
Massive, fragrant blooms and deep green leaves set Magnolia grandiflora apart from other large shade trees
Full StoryTREESHouzz Call: Show Us Your Beautifully Blooming Magnolias
Do you have one of these flowering trees? Share your pictures in the Comments
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHouzz Call: What’s Your Favorite Backyard Beauty?
The simple, honest daisy is this writer’s go-to garden flower. We want to hear which plant, flowering or otherwise, gives you special joy
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNHouzz Call: Have a Beautiful Small Bathroom? We Want to See It!
Corner sinks, floating vanities and tiny shelves — show us how you’ve made the most of a compact bathroom
Full StoryTRADITIONAL HOMESHouzz Tour: Redo Shines Light on 19th-Century Newport Beauty
The renovated Rhode Island home boasts gorgeous woodwork, an appealing wraparound porch and a newly spacious kitchen
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES7 New Plants to Grow for Beautiful Foliage
Add color, structure and interest to your garden with these recently introduced plants that sport exceptional foliage
Full StoryFALL AND THANKSGIVINGDIY: Make a Fresh Magnolia Wreath
Learn how to add a statement piece to your front door with these easy-to-find evergreens
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGN10 Flowering Trees Landscape Architects and Designers Love
These blooming beauties make lovely additions to gardens — bringing color, fragrance and pollinators
Full StoryMY HOUZZMy Houzz: Early-California Style for a 1920s Home and Garden
Native plantings and flea market treasures fill the cozy live-work space of a Southern California landscape designer
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESMild-Winter Gardens Celebrate Colorful Camellias
Grow these evergreen beauties as standout accent plants or blend them into your garden landscape
Full Story
Embothrium