Genie Magnolia Tree
Magnolia x 'Genie'
Planting & Care
Planting & Care
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Preorder Shipping Schedule
We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.
| Zone 3-4 | Week of March 30th |
| Zone 5 | Week of March 16th |
| Zone 6-12 | Week of March 2nd |
Shipping Rates
Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150 - $198.99 | $24.99 |
| $199+ | FREE |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Our Container Sizes
At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes
Quart
Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.
#1 Container
Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.
#2 Container
Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.
#3 Container
Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.
#5 Container and Larger
Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.
Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?
Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.
Root Pouch Containers
Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:
- Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
- Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.
Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.
Full Root Pouch planting guide
Choosing the Right Size
| Size | Plant Age | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Quart | 6 mo to 1 yr | Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings. |
| #1 Container | 1 to 2 yrs | Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners. |
| #2 Container | 2 to 3 yrs | Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment. |
| #3 Container | 3 to 4 yrs | Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size. |
| #5 and larger | 4+ yrs | Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact. |
Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Description
Your wish for a Saucer Magnolia that blooms even in cold springs is granted. Columnar Genie Magnolia PP#20,748 (Magnolia x 'Genie') makes a wonderfully showy specimen tree without taking up much room!
Count on a show of oversized and scented burgundy flowers each spring. Genie is a natural hybrid Saucer Magnolia that was specifically bred for reliable flowering performance...even when spring frosts hit late.
Watch in late winter for the fuzzy, swelling buds. They'll soon reveal an exceptionally dramatic wine-dark color with black overtones! Held on the bare gray branches, the flowers open into wide, Tulip-shaped blooms in early spring. Genie flowers feature up to 12 purple-red tepals that lighten at their reflexed tips!
After the first flush of flowers is faded, Genie develops commanding foliage with a strong mid-rib. Each leaf is glossy green on top, with a pretty silvery underside. The Genie Magnolia looks amazing all season long. Keep your eyes out for recurrent blooms throughout the mid-summer.
Genie is one of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Societies Gold Medal Plant winners for 2024! Cold and heat tolerant throughout USDA planting zones 5 to 9, these are fantastic flowering Magnolias that bring in the pollinators and loads of attention each spring!
Planting and Application:
Be astounded by this narrow columnar tree's ability to fit into almost any landscape. Genie's petite size makes it natural for the front yard but looks great incorporated into mixed borders. Several can be used as an effective backdrop, too. This Genie bestows an exceptional accent in even the smallest gardens!
Grow them in large resin containers to decorate a rented balcony and delight your guests! Pot up yours in a large raised planter to add height to your front and backyard landscaping beds, and quickly become the crown jewel of your design!
The ideal front yard specimen or street tree, Flowering Magnolia trees handle urban environments and city lots! Growing just 10 feet tall and spreading just 5 feet wide.
- Large Scented Rich Maroon-Purple Blooms
- Repeat Blooms Through Growing Season
- Large, Shiny Green Leaves are Silvery Underneath
- Excellent Narrow Columnar Form Fits Anywhere
- Tree Form Can Be Grown in Extra-Large Containers
- Perfect Choice for Small Space Gardens
- Specimens, Street & Lawn Trees
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Magnolia trees need full sun to bloom their best and grow best in organically rich well-drained soil. Provide a 3-4 inch deep layer of mulch around their root systems, as long as the mulch isn't up against the trunk. Water regularly during their first year in the ground, but once established should only need extra watering during extended drought. Prune to control the size or remove dead limbs after flowering in the spring.
- Full Sun
- Well-Drained Soil
- Moderate Moisture Needs
- Prune After Flowering
- Saucer Magnolia Resists Frost
- Long-Lived & Easy Care
Don't let our limited inventory of Genie Magnolia Trees get away from you and leave you disappointed. Order yours today at NatureHills.com!
Tree Form vs. Shrub Form
The details make all the difference in a garden. At Naturehills.com, we understand that little things like what form a plant is can greatly impact how you plan your landscape. So before you buy, don’t forget to check which form you’re getting.
Tree Form:
These are plants that have one stem coming from the ground. Plants can also be considered single stem when lower branches are removed to raise the height of the branching to a more desired height. Sometimes, you will hear a tree form referred to as a single stem.
Shrub Form:
These are bushy plants with many stems and branches close to the ground. They are referred to as shrubs or bushes and are often shorter than their tree forms.
Specifications
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Botanical Name
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Class
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Species
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Cultivar
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Growing Zones
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Height
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Width
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Sunlight
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Growth RateModerate
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Flower Color
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Leaf Color
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Fall Color
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FragrantYes
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Bloom PeriodEarly Spring, Late Spring
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Does Not Ship ToAK, HI, ID, MT, PR
Characteristics





