Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia Tree

Gorgeous, creamy-white, fragrant flowers make the Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia Tree (Magnolia virginiana 'Jim Wilson') an unforgettable garden showpiece. This semi-evergreen beauty features cup-shaped blooms with eight large petals, perfuming the air with a clean, lemony scent from late spring through summer. Large green leaves with silver undersides shimmer in the sunlight, while fall brings showy red seeds that feed local songbirds.

Nature Hills is proud to offer one of the best cultivars of this beloved native tree. Staying compact and narrow, the Moonglow® Sweetbay Magnolia is ideal for today's landscapes - easy care, gracefully balanced in form, and beautiful all year round with smooth, gray bark.

Blooming later than other Magnolias (well after frost danger passes), this variety guarantees an extended display. Sporadic blooms may appear all season long, offering nectar for butterflies and endless opportunities for cut flower arrangements. Roots, bark, and leaves are sweetly fragrant, adding even more sensory appeal. Hardy, heat- and humidity-tolerant, and thriving in wet soils, this tree is a versatile star for modern yards.

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Key Features

• Compact, semi-evergreen Sweet Bay Magnolia
• Creamy-white, cup-shaped flowers with lemony fragrance
• Blooms late spring through summer, sometimes again in season
• Glossy green leaves with silvery undersides
• Showy red seeds attract and feed birds
• Smooth bark with metallic-gray tones
• Cold-hardy, heat-tolerant, thrives in wet soils
• Easy care, perfect for smaller yards or near homes

Landscaping Uses

The Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia tree stays compact, making it perfect for today's landscapes. Use it as a specimen tree, flowering privacy hedge, or near water features. With its narrow form and manageable size, it can be planted near homes, patios, or walkways. Its luminous blooms also make it a natural fit for moon gardens where their creamy glow shines at night.

• Anchor planting near foundations
• Elegant flowering privacy hedge (8 ft apart on center)
• Screen along fences or pool decks
• Informal groupings or natural woodland settings
• Rain gardens, near ponds or creeks
• Pair as matching lawn trees for dramatic entrances

Care & Maintenance

Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia grows in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9. This semi-evergreen tree (deciduous in colder climates) is cold-hardy, heat-tolerant, and thrives in wet, clay, or boggy soils. A beautiful, adaptable choice for a wide range of gardens.

• Planting Time: Best planted in spring or fall for strong root establishment
• Sun Requirements: Full sun for best blooms - at least 6 hours of direct sunlight
• Soil Requirements: Handles clay, wet soils, and periodic flooding; prefers slightly acidic soil with good organic content
• Moisture Needs: Keep soil consistently moist when young; established trees tolerate some drought. Always use the Finger Test before watering
• Mulching: Apply a 3-4 inch deep layer of mulch (pine bark or pine straw preferred); pull mulch back 6 inches from trunk
• Fertilization Needs: Slightly acidic fertilizer or compost; avoid nitrogen-rich lawn fertilizer near roots
• Pruning Info: Prune after spring bloom; follow natural form. Train to a single trunk for a tree form or keep multiple stems for screening.
• Special Perks: Deer-resistant, butterfly attractant, pollution-tolerant, handles heat, humidity, wet soils, and cold

Don't forget to order your Nature Hills Root Booster for lifelong root support and stronger growth.

Glowing Goodness With Moonglow®

Few trees combine fragrance, wildlife benefits, and ornamental beauty like the Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia. Compact, adaptable, and full of charm, it's a tree that elevates any garden with flowers, fragrance, and year-round appeal. Order now from Nature Hills - we'll ship at the proper planting time for your region.