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Butterflies Magnolia

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will be closed Monday, May 13, to prepare for the visit of Antiques Roadshow. We will return to normal hours of operation Wednesday, May 15.
Butterflies Magnolia

Common Name: Butterflies Magnolia

Botanical Name: Magnolia ‘Butterflies’

Butterflies Magnolia

Plant family: Magnoliaceae

Location: Art Trail

Growing zone: 5-9

Height: 15-20 ft.

Spread: 10-15 ft.

Bloom time: March, April, May

Bloom description: Large, yellow flowers cover this tree in early spring. The flowers bloom prior to leaf emergence and are lightly lemon scented. Each bloom lasts for a day or two, but the entire tree will bloom for nearly 1.5 weeks. This is a cross between Cucumber Magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) and Yulan Magnolia (Magnolia denudata).

Leaf type: Dark-green, oblong leaves emerge after flowers drop. Although attractive through summer months, they fade to a pale brown in fall.

Garden uses: This is a great choice for a small specimen tree. It has a nice upright, pyramidal growth habit which makes it suitable for planting near homes. Full sun conditions with moist, well-drained soil will help this small tree flourish in a garden.