Top 5 Best Magnolias for Cold Climates | NatureHills.com

This video from Nature Hills Nursery presents a curated list of the top five magnolia trees and shrubs specifically suited for colder climates.

Introduction to Magnolias

Magnolias rank among the oldest flowering plants in existence, predating bees [00:03].

Because they evolved before bees, their primary pollinators are beetles [00:08].

While often associated with the American South, certain varieties

thrive in northern regions [00:13].

Top 5 Cold-Climate Magnolias

5. Merrill Magnolia

Blooming Season: Late spring, reducing the risk of damage from unexpected winter freezes [00:23].

Features: Up to 15 petals per white bloom [00:28].

Size: Reaches heights of 20 to 30 feet tall [00:32].

Growing Zones: 4 through 9 [00:36].

4. Leonard Messel Magnolia

Awards: Winner of the Royal Horticultural Society Aw

ard of Garden Merit [00:41].

Appearance: Features purple buds resembling tulips that fade to pink and open to reveal a white interior [00:46].

Size: Grows 12 to 18 feet wide, making it well-suited for smaller yards [00:52].

Growing Zones: 4 through 9 [00:59].

Uses: Fragrant flowers and functions effectively as a privacy screen [01:00].

3. Jane Magnolia

Characteristics: A sun-loving, cold-hardy variet

y with a compact footprint [01:10].

Size: 10 to 15 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide [01:11].

Blooms: Deep reddish-purple, tulip-shaped flowers offering a classic magnolia aesthetic with recurring blooms throughout the season [01:16].

Growing Zones: 4 through 8 [01:28].

2. Ann Magnolia

Growth Habit: Features a shrubby, rounded form reaching 8 to 10 feet tall [01:34].

Blooms: Produces large fuchsia, gob

let-shaped flowers on bare branches later than standard varieties to avoid lingering frosts [01:39].

Growing Zones: 4 through 8 [01:54].

Uses: Tolerant of most soils; works well to conceal unsightly outdoor elements such as furnaces or egress windows [01:49].

1. Betty Magnolia

Hardiness: The top pick for cold climates, noted as one of the toughest when braving severe cold [02:01].

Growth Habit: A shr

ub variety that blooms reliably well after other types finish [02:06].

Blooms: Covered in fragrant, pink, cup-shaped flowers [02:13].

Growing Zones: 3 through 8 [02:20].

Landscape Tip: Can be planted in a row spaced about six feet apart at the center to form a dense privacy screen [02:17].

Quick Comparison Summary

Rank Variety Name Growing Zones Size Range Key Feature

5 Merrill Zones 4–9 20–30 ft tal

l Late spring bloomer

4 Leonard Messel Zones 4–9 12–18 ft wide RHS Award winner, tulip-like buds

3 Jane Zones 4–8 10–15 ft tall Compact, reblooming habit

2 Ann Zones 4–8 8–10 ft tall Shrubby form, hides utility features

1 Betty Zones 3–8 Shrub form Extremely cold-hardy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm8f9SbZVV4

Top 5 Best Magnolias for Cold Climates | NatureHills.com

Nature Hills Nursery · 41K views