When Do Magnolias Bloom? Facts, Tips, & FAQ

Magnolia trees create visually stunning blooms each year, but when can you expect to see these beautiful flowers? Once they’re there, how long can you expect them to last?

The answer all depends on where you live, but you can expect to see them for about 2 weeks anytime between February and June. But the answer varies depending on where you live, so keep reading as we break down everything that you need to know to spot these beautiful trees in bloom.

When Do Magnolias Bloom?

Figuring out when a magnolia tree will start to bloom depends on the climate in your area. Magnolia trees start to bloom as soon as the weather starts to warm up, which means the farther south you are, the sooner they’ll bloom.

You can expect magnolia trees to bloom any time between February and June. But they don’t stay in bloom that entire time. Magnolia trees will bloom just once sometime between February and June.

How Long Do Magnolias Bloom For?

Since you typically only get one blooming session from magnolia trees, it’s not something that you’ll want to miss. But once you see the first bloom, how long will it be until the last flower hits the ground?

Typically, magnolia trees only bloom for about 2 weeks, making them one of the shortest-blooming trees. When they do bloom, they’re absolutely stunning, but they don’t do it for long.

Sometimes you can get the bloom to last longer with proper care, but even then, there’s only so much that you can do to keep the flowers on the tree.

The 5 Tips for Growing Magnolias

The great thing about growing magnolia trees is their extremely low maintenance. Still, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few things that you can do to ensure that they stay healthy year after year.

1. Water Them

Magnolia trees love water, and they don’t do great in dry conditions or droughts. So, it’s best to water magnolia trees whenever the area isn’t getting much water in general. This is especially true for younger trees, as well-established magnolia trees can typically handle drier conditions without too many problems.

But for the first 2 years, you should ensure that your magnolia tree gets consistent and frequent water so it can grow and thrive.

2. Keep People Away

This is especially true for younger magnolia trees. They have extremely sensitive roots, so while they’re taking root and establishing themselves, it’s best to limit the foot traffic around the tree.

3. Use a Little Mulch

Magnolia trees love water, and one way to help keep the soil moist day after day and year after year is to use mulch. But while a bit of mulch can be beneficial, don’t overdo it. Too much can attract insects and other pests.

4. Use a Slow-Release Fertilizer

To be clear, you don’t need to use fertilizer on a magnolia tree. But it won’t hurt them and can even help get you more out of their bloom. Just be sure to use a slow-release fertilizer, and don’t put it too close to the tree.

5. Limit Pruning

While you can occasionally prune stray twigs and tiny branches, for the most part, it’s best to just let a magnolia tree grow. It typically won’t grow in weird ways or angles, so if you skip the pruning, you won’t end up with an oddly shaped tree.

Final Thoughts

Magnolia trees are stunning, but part of their beauty is their short display. Now that you know more about when they bloom and how long they bloom for, you can keep an eye out and ensure that you won’t miss it the next time that these stunning trees come into full bloom.

Featured Image Credit: Piqsels