Ann Magnolia Tree for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by Mary Van Keuren | Gardener (30+ Years Experience) – last update on August 30, 2022

Planting instructions

Site your Ann magnolia in well-draining soil that receives at least six hours of sun a day. Avoid planting your tree in alkaline soils, as it prefers neutral to acidic soil. Unpot your sapling and tease out any encircling roots, which can girdle the tree and slowly kill it. Dig a hole that’s as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Place the tree in the hole, and, while holding it upright and steady, fill in around it with topsoil, tamping down as you go to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly. Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch, such as bark chips, to conserve moisture and hinder weed growth, but to avoid rot, don’t let it touch the trunk of the tree.

Watering and nutrients

During your tree’s first year, water frequently — at least once a week — giving it an inch of water at a time. If it is very hot or dry out, water it every few days. Once your tree is established and growing well, you can taper back on water in the second year, watering it only when needed during heat waves or droughts. Fertilize your tree in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer that is formulated for landscape trees and shrubs.

Pollination

Magnolias are monoecious, meaning that a single plant’s flowers have both male and female reproductive parts. They are commonly fertilized by beetles rather than bees, and pollinated flowers will produce seed pods that are attractive to songbirds and other wildlife.

Pruning

The Ann magnolia tree does not require pruning to achieve a pleasing shape. Monitor your tree for broken, diseased, or damaged branches, and cut these out whenever you see them. If you wish your magnolia to take on a tree form, prune out any suckers or secondary trunks that arise around the primary trunk. You can prune lightly for shape, if you wish, immediately after it blooms.

Pests and diseases

You may see signs of common insect pests on your magnolia, including scale insects, aphids, and various caterpillar species, but unless it is a serious infestation, the tree should be fine. Many pests can be controlled by releasing predatory insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which will eat many invasive insects. Diseases of the Ann magnolia include honey fungus and verticillium wilt. Generally, fungal diseases like these are more prevalent during very wet weather. Water your tree at the base of the trunk and avoid wetting the leaves, and keep the area around the trunk free of leaf litter and other debris.

Achieving maximum results

Knowing how to use your Ann magnolia in your landscape setting is one way to achieve maximum results. Magnolias have effusive blooms and a solid, leafy presence that make them an excellent specimen tree. Consider planting one in a front yard and underplanting it with hostas, astilbes, or even colorful annuals that thrive in shade, such as impatiens. The Ann magnolia is not a very large tree, so it’s also a good choice for smaller urban lots or for planting along a verge or other long, narrow spot of land. The tree would also fit well in a cottage garden setting — imagine it surrounded by mixed wildflowers or, conversely, a clipped short yew hedge.

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