Edith Bogue Southern Magnolia

Edith Bogue Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora 'Edith Bogue')

Edith Bogue Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora 'Edith Bogue'), is a broadleaf evergreen tree valued for glossy, deep green leaves and large, fragrant white flowers. Known for better cold tolerance than many southern magnolia selections, it brings that classic magnolia look to landscapes where winters can be tougher, while still holding strong evergreen presence year-round. The foliage often shows warm, rusty-brown tones on the undersides, adding depth and contrast as branches move in the breeze. When it blooms in late spring through summer, the big, lemony-scented flowers make the tree feel like a landmark, and it can serve as a focal point even in larger plantings.

Distinctive Features

This cultivar is admired for dense, dependable evergreen coverage and a tidy, pyramidal to broadly conical habit that looks finished without constant shaping. Thick, leathery leaves keep their color through winter, and the rich brown undersides give the canopy a layered, textured look. Flowers are large, creamy white, and strongly fragrant, opening over an extended season in warm weather. With maturity, it develops into a substantial, elegant shade tree that also functions as a living screen, offering privacy and structure in every season.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade; best flowering and densest growth in full sun.
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil; adaptable to many soils once established, prefers slightly acidic conditions.
• Water: Moderate; water regularly during establishment, then provide supplemental water during extended drought.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9.
• Habit: Evergreen tree with a dense, pyramidal to broad conical form.
• Mature Size: About 30 to 50 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide, sometimes larger with age and ideal conditions.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Plant as a signature evergreen where the glossy foliage and summer blooms can command attention.
• Evergreen Privacy Screen: Use as a year-round screen along property lines or to soften views of roads and neighboring buildings.
• Foundation and Entry Accents: In larger landscapes, place where it frames an entry drive or anchors a corner with evergreen weight.
• Backyard Shade Tree: Provide long-term shade with the added benefit of evergreen structure and seasonal flowers.
• Coastal and Wind-Moderated Sites: Performs well where conditions are mild and the tree can grow into its full, classic form.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Deep-water during the first one to two seasons; once established, water during prolonged dry periods to support flowering and leaf quality.
• Mulching: Mulch over the root zone to conserve moisture and buffer temperature swings; keep mulch away from the trunk.
• Fertilizing: Feed in spring with a slow-release fertilizer for acid-loving trees if growth is slow or leaves pale.
• Pruning: Minimal pruning needed; remove dead or rubbing branches, and prune lightly after flowering if shaping is required.
• Leaf Drop and Cleanup: Expect periodic leaf shed; allow leaves to mulch in place or tidy as needed, especially near patios and walkways.

Why Choose Edith Bogue Southern Magnolia?

• Classic Magnolia Look: Delivers the glossy evergreen canopy and iconic white flowers people picture when they think of southern magnolia.
• Improved Cold Tolerance: A stronger option for cooler regions compared to many traditional selections.
• Year-Round Structure: Provides evergreen mass for privacy, screening, and winter presence.
• Fragrant Summer Blooms: Large flowers add a seasonal highlight and a memorable scent near outdoor living spaces.
• Landscape Versatility: Works as a specimen, screen, or long-term shade tree with a polished, reliable habit.

For a tree that brings evergreen structure, classic southern magnolia flowers, and strong landscape presence, Edith Bogue Southern Magnolia is a reliable choice that can anchor a design and hold its role as a focal point for decades.