The Best Magnolia for Cold Climates
Magnolia trees often bring to mind sweet tea, wraparound porches, and steamy Southern summers, but did you know some Magnolias thrive in northern gardens with long, icy winters? That's right, there's a select group of breathtaking flowering trees that can handle frigid temperatures and still bloom beautifully year after year!
Many northern gardeners know these beauties as "Tulip Trees", but in truth, they're members of the Magnolia family, not to be confused with actual Tulips or Tulip Poplar Trees. Their blossoms may resemble Tulips in shape, but the fragrance, size, and garden impact are far more spectacular.
Below, you'll find the top 5 Magnolias for cold climates, plus simple care tips to keep them thriving through frosty winters and dazzling you each spring.
Top 5 Magnolias for Cold Climates
#5 Merrill Magnolia
The Merrill Magnolia is a stately, cold-hardy option. Covered in large, fragrant, double white blooms with blushed pink bases, it flowers slightly later to avoid frost damage.
- 20 - 30 feet tall, 20 - 25 feet wide
- Fragrant, double-petaled white flowers
- Best as a single-stem specimen tree
#4 Leonard Messel Magnolia
The Leonard Messel Magnolia is beloved for its pink-lavender starburst flowers that unfurl from purple buds. The later bloom time helps it escape early frosts.
- 15 - 20 feet tall, 12 - 18 feet wide
- Fragrant pink-lavender blossoms
- Graceful branching makes it ideal for curb appeal
#3 Jane Magnolia
The Jane Magnolia is compact and versatile, featuring reddish-purple exteriors with soft pink interiors. Its smaller size makes it perfect for urban yards and privacy screens.
- 10 - 15 feet tall, 8 - 10 feet wide
- Dense, multi-stemmed growth
- Fragrant, upright two-tone blooms
#2 Ann Magnolia
The Ann Magnolia may be the smallest, but it packs big color. Its purplish-red flowers bloom later than many others, protecting it from frost, and it sometimes produces a second flush in summer.
- 8 - 10 feet tall and wide
- Compact, bushy form
- Pollinator-friendly with fragrant red-purple blooms
#1 Betty Magnolia
The Betty Magnolia steals the show with vivid reddish-purple flowers that open before leaves appear. Its buds are protected from late frosts, ensuring a spectacular spring display.
- 12 - 15 feet tall, 10 - 12 feet wide
- Fragrant, rosy purple flowers
- Occasional summer rebloom for bonus color
Honorable Mention: Butterflies Magnolia
For something truly unique, the Butterflies Magnolia offers bright yellow blooms with double rows of petals. Cold-hardy to zone 4, it's a striking option for northern landscapes.
- 20 - 30 feet tall, 15 - 20 feet wide
- Fragrant, butterfly-like yellow blossoms
- Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators
Magnolia Care Made Easy
Caring for Magnolia trees is refreshingly simple compared to many other flowering trees. They're typically low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and generally free of serious pests or diseases. The biggest thing to remember is tree pruning timing, prune right after they flower, so you don't cut off next year's buds.
- Sunlight: Full sun is best, but they tolerate some part shade.
- Soil: Moist but well-drained soils are ideal. Avoid soggy conditions.
- Mulch: Apply a generous layer of arborist mulch to insulate roots, retain moisture, and protect them from temperature swings.
- Pruning: Perform light pruning immediately after flowering if shaping is needed.
Tree or Shrub? You Choose
One of the joys of Magnolias is their versatility. Leave the lower branches intact for a full, multi-stemmed shrub perfect for living privacy hedges, or prune into a single-stem tree for a dramatic focal point.
Merrill and Leonard Messel naturally take on a tree form, making them excellent specimen trees for curb appeal!
More Than Just Flowers
Magnolias add ornamental interest long after spring. Glossy green foliage, graceful branching, and unique "cucumber" seedpods extend their appeal. Their blossoms are valuable host plants for Silkmoths and Swallowtail butterflies, and songbirds feast on the seedpods in fall.
Big Blooms, Big Rewards
If you garden in a cold region but crave southern-style beauty, these hardy Magnolias are the perfect solution! Explore the full collection at NatureHills.com and let our plant experts help you choose the right one for your landscape.
Happy planting!
