Galaxy Magnolia

The Galaxy Magnolia (Magnolia ‘Galaxy’) is a medium-sized flowering ornamental tree. It has a beautiful bloom of deep red-purple flowers late enough to escape the threat of spring frost. The flowers are large and fragrant with 12 petals that are red-purple on the outside and a lighter red-pink on the inside. This tree has an attractive form with a strong central leader and upright, ascending branches that create a narrow pyramid-shaped canopy. Its made up of large dark green leaves that emerge after the flowers and provide adequate shade.

The Galaxy Magnolia is a hybrid of the Lily Magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora) and the Sprenger’s Magnolia (Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’). It was introduced in 1980 by the U.S. National Arboretum. This cultivar is prized for its bloom of large showy flowers, its pleasant upright form, and later bloom time. This tree is a great choice as a specimen standing on its own in a yard or in a park in either an urban or rural environment. It is better to plant it with some wind protection because its flowers may be damaged by cold winds in the spring. It does well in moist, well-drained soils and will not tolerate wet soils with poor drainage. Can grow in full or partial sun.