Page 138 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2026

HOME
story by Gaye Winter Southern Magnolia
MAGNOLIAS
Nothing says “Southern” like
gorgeous magnolias with their elegant and perfumed flowers. In fact, the Magnolia is the State Flower of Mississippi and Louisiana. There is something about magnolias that say “home” to me living in the Deep South. The good news is that you can plant magnolias in early spring for blooming throughout the spring and summer months. These trees are generally slow- growing as some seedlings can take 10 years after planting before they come into bloom.
Certain varieties, such as the Saucer Magnolia and Royal Star Magnolia, are known for their early spring blooms that can begin in February depending on the climate. Try to plant magnolias after the last frost choosing later-blooming varieties for your garden if possible. Always check with your local nursery for details. These early blooms will appear on the bare
branches of the tree before the foliage even emerges.
Another early flowering magnolia includes the Yulan Magnolia. This beautiful tree is revered by gardeners
for its alabaster white flowers and
graceful tree form. Outstanding cultivars include Pink Goblet, Jon Jon, Sayonara, Winelight, Full Eclipse, and Darrell Dean. The variety called Southern Magnolia is good for planting at the beach as it can stand up to some salty sea breezes. The Sweet Bay variety tolerates wet soil.
Look for these and other outstanding magnolias at a local nursery or garden center. Although other varieties are not yet grown as widely as the Saucer Magnolias, they are increasing in popularity and are becoming more available.
Remember to plant your magnolia tree at least 50 feet away from your home to give the tree plenty of room to spread out
Saucer Magnolia
IN FEBRUARY?
138 | February 2026
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living