Umbrella Magnolia Common Name: Umbrella Magnolia Botanical Name: Magnolia tripetala Umbrella Magnolia Plant family: Magnoliaceae Location: Art Trail, Crystal Springs Trail Growing zone: 4-9 Height: 25-40 ft. Spread: 15-35 ft. Bloom time: July, August, September Bloom description: The large white flowers grow upwards of 10 in. in diameter with 6-9 petals. Unlike many other magnolias, the fragrance is quite unpleasant and the blooms are best enjoyed at a distance! Leaf type: The large, green leaves grow upwards to 24-30 in. long and are widest near the tip. To walk under an Umbrella Magnolia in the wild, you truly understand why its common name, “umbrella,” is appropriate. The deciduous leaves turn dull yellow in autumn. Garden uses: Plant as a specimen tree so that when it reaches a larger height, you can enjoy the form and silhouette of the leaves from underneath. This tree can also be used as an understory selection to a woodland garden where the leaves add another level of texture. Wildlife benefits: Several species of songbirds browse the cones for the seeds.
