Name: Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Zones: 7 – 9
Size: 60 – 90 feet tall and 20+ feet wide
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; rich, well-drained, acid soil. Once established, extremely drought tolerant.
Quintessential southern landscapes include southern magnolias. Unfortunately, not all of us have the land to hold one. Thankfully, I do. My neighbors have 5 on their half acre lot! We have one on the south side of the house; it shades our home from the hot summer sun. Waxy, glossy leaves, with a brown under belly, drop each spring landing within her skirt. Their May and June blooms look and smell heavenly. I’ll pluck one and float in a bowl near where I read in the morning. It last but a day, but what a day it is.
By: Helen Yoest

The TarHeelGardening blog is published and edited by Helen Yoest. For more information on Tarheel Gardening, please visit our website at Tarheel Gardening - your online resource for North Carolina gardening enthusiasts.
Hi Helen,
I love you new blog! Thanks so much for adding a link to my Gardening for Nature blog. Looking forward to reading and learning about many new plants.
aahhh, can’t wait to plant mine in the fall!
How is it surviving?
doing great! it sits in the shade and stays nice and cool.
actually everything from you is doing well…..hmmm, makes me wonder about the other stuff i have. the salvia have blooms on them now…so excited!
Thanks Kathy! We are just getting started and are very excited about the opportunity to blog. We feel honored to be joining such a great group of garden communicators (bloggers) and hope to make a valuable contribution. H.