Types of magnolia trees – Magnolia species
Magnolia species fall into two main types, evergreen magnolias and deciduous magnolias. Nearly all evergreen types are cultivars of Magnolia grandiflora. The deciduous types are varied, a number of species and numerous cultivars.
However there are hundreds of magnolia species and cultivars on the market. Magnolias may be very large trees, such as Magnolia Grandiflora or small garden specimen types. We provide a guide and list to magnolia types and species. Links to Magnolias for sale from specialist nurseries and a guide to planting magnolias.
Deciduous species
Most of the deciduous types are from China and Japan. The evergreens are mainly from North America and a few other species are from areas including South America, Nepal, India and New Guinea.
Most deciduous magnolia cultivars are developed from Chinese and Japanese species. Evergreen magnolia cultivars such as the well known ‘Magnolia Little Gem’ have been developed from Magnolia Grandiflora.
Deciduous Magnolias flower in late winter to early spring with flowers forming on bare branches making a spectacular display. Magnolia soulangiana and Magnolia stellata are very popular deciduous forms. These deciduous magnolias make fantastic specimen trees.
Evergreen Species
Evergreen Magnolias are famous for Magnolia Grandiflora ‘Little Gem’. However others exist, larger forms include Magnolia Grandiflora Exmouth and St Marys.
Other smaller forms include the newly released Magnolia Grandiflora Kay Parris and Teddy Bear. Evergreen Magnolias make great hedging plants, work well at the back of the garden border and are also suitable a specimen plants.
Magnolia Species
Magnolia species are varied. With both evergreen and deciduous species, along with a variety of flower forms and colours. Magnolias are native to both North and South America as well as China, Nepal, Japan. The Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Burma and other asian countries.
Magnolia Species from the USA include:
- Magnolia grandiflora
- Magnolia virginiana
- Magnolia tripetala
- Magnolia fraseri
- Magnolia macrophylla
- Magnolia acuminata
- and the related species Liriodendron tulipifera
Magnolia Species from South America include:
- Magnolia guatemalensis ssp. hondurensis
- Magnolia panamensis
- Magnolia poasana
- Magnolia yorocont
- Magnolia amazonica
- Magnolia arcabucoana
- Magnolia boliviana
- Magnolia caricifragrans
- Magnolia cespedesii
- Magnolia dixonii
- Magnolia espinalii
- Magnolia georgii
- Magnolia neillii
- Magnolia rimachii
- Magnolia santanderiana
- Magnolia sellowiana
- Magnolia virolinensis
- Magnolia wolfii
- Magnolia argyrothricha
- Magnolia calimaensis
- Magnolia calophylla
- Magnolia cararensis
- Magnolia chimantensis
- Magnolia colombiana
- Magnolia guatapensis
- Magnolia lenticellata
- Magnolia magnifolia
- Magnolia mahechae
- Magnolia ptaritepuiana
- Magnolia striatifolia
- Magnolia urraoense
- Magnolia yarumalense
Magnolia Species from New Guinea include:
Magnolia tsiampacca
Magnolia Species from the China include:
- Magnolia albosericea
- Magnolia championii
- Magnolia coco
- Magnolia delavayi
- Magnolia henryi
- Magnolia odoratissima
- Magnolia fistulosa
- Magnolia dandyi
- Magnolia decidua
- Magnolia duclouxii
- Magnolia figlarii
- Magnolia fordiana
- Magnolia garrettii
- Magnolia grandis
- Magnolia hookeri
- Magnolia insignis
- Magnolia lucida
- Magnolia megaphylla
- Magnolia moto
- Magnolia obovalifolia
- Magnolia ovoidea
- Magnolia ventii
- Magnolia yuyuanensis
- Magnolia kwangsiensis
- Magnolia officinalis
- Magnolia rostrata
- Magnolia sieboldii ssp. sinensis
- Magnolia wilsonii
- Magnolia denudata
- Magnolia cylindrica
- Magnolia liliiflora
- Magnolia sprengeri
- Magnolia dawsoniana
- Magnolia sargentiana
- Magnolia zenii
- Magnolia angustioblonga
- Magnolia cavaleriei
- Magnolia dianica
- Magnolia figo
- Magnolia fulva
- Magnolia jiangxiensis
- Magnolia macclurei
- Magnolia mediocris
- Magnolia opipara
- Magnolia sphaerantha
- Magnolia lotungensis
- Magnolia sinica
and the related species Liriodendron chinenseMagnolia Species from Japan include:
- Magnolia kobus
- Magnolia obovata
- Magnolia stellata
- Magnolia salicifolia
- Magnolia sieboldii ssp. japonica
Other species are from Nepal, Borneo, India and Sri Lanka