Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia

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SEE HOW YOUR TREE ARRIVES
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Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia is an elegant flowering tree with creamy white, lemon-scented blooms and glossy dark green leaves featuring beautiful silvery undersides. Its upright growth habit, improved cold hardiness, and ability to thrive in moist conditions make it a versatile native cultivar for landscapes, rain gardens, pond edges, and specimen plantings.

  • Botanical name: Magnolia virginiana ‘Jim Wilson’ PP12,065
  • Bloom time: Late spring into summer
  • Evergreen to semi-evergreen in warmer climates; semi-evergreen to deciduous in colder climates
  • Grown in the USA

SUNLIGHT
Prefers full sun to partial shade.

WATER
Watering needs are never one-size-fits-all, so check the soil 3–4 inches deep near the root ball and water when it feels dry. Water slowly and thoroughly, allowing moisture to penetrate the entire root ball and surrounding root zone rather than watering frequently and shallowly. For more in depth information, please see Watering and Sunlight section below.

IDEAL CLIMATE
Best suited for Zones 5–9. Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia is especially well adapted to climates with adequate moisture and performs particularly well in humid regions. Its improved cold hardiness allows it to grow farther north than many evergreen magnolias, although foliage retention decreases as winters become colder.

Note: Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia’s foliage can behave differently depending on climate. It tends to remain evergreen to semi-evergreen in warmer regions but may become partially or fully deciduous in colder climates. Leaf drop during winter in colder areas is normal and does not mean the tree is unhealthy.

PLANT DESCRIPTION & MATURE SIZE

Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia, scientifically known as Magnolia virginiana ‘Jim Wilson’, is an elegant flowering tree prized for its creamy white, lemon-scented blooms and glossy dark green foliage with distinctive silvery undersides. This vigorous Sweetbay Magnolia has an upright growth habit and produces fragrant flowers from late spring into summer, followed by attractive red seeds. Its adaptability to both moist and wet soils makes Moonglow® an excellent specimen tree for landscapes, rain gardens, pond edges, and native gardens.

GROWTH RATE & MATURE SIZE:

Moderate to fast growth rate. Reaches approximately 30–35 feet tall and 15–20 feet wide at maturity.

WATERING & SUNLIGHT

Watering needs are never one-size-fits-all. Weather, soil type, drainage, plant size, and planting time all affect how quickly a plant dries out.

Use a slow-running hose, soaker hose, or drip system to water the root ball and surrounding root zone thoroughly. Allow the water to penetrate deeply (not just wet the top few inches of soil), and avoid frequent, shallow watering. Before watering again, check the soil 3–4 inches deep near the root ball. If it feels dry, repeat this deep-watering process. If it feels moist or soggy, wait and check again in 1–2 days. Check the soil of newly planted trees and shrubs several times per week, especially during hot, dry, or windy weather. Irrigation run times will vary based on flow rate, soil, and system setup.

Need help? Contact our plant experts for watering guidance tailored to your plant and growing conditions.

Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia grows well in full sun to partial shade. For the strongest growth and flowering, provide plenty of sunlight, although it has good tolerance for partially shaded locations.

PLANT CARE & PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

PRUNING
Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia generally requires minimal pruning once established. Prune to remove dead, damaged, crossing, or poorly positioned branches and to maintain the desired tree form. Young trees can be selectively pruned if a single-trunk form is desired. Avoid unnecessary heavy pruning of established magnolias.

FERTILIZING
Avoid fertilizing for the first 2–3 months after delivery to allow the plant to adjust and establish. Once established, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring or early summer when needed. Avoid excessive fertilization, which can encourage overly vigorous foliage growth, and do not fertilize in fall or winter.

WINTER PROTECTION
Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia is particularly cold hardy for a Sweetbay Magnolia, with established specimens requiring little winter protection within their recommended growing range. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch over the root zone to help moderate soil temperature and retain moisture, keeping mulch several inches away from the trunk. In colder climates, some or all foliage may naturally drop during winter rather than remaining evergreen.

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Choose a location for your Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia that receives full sun to partial shade and has enough room for its upright mature canopy. Dig a planting hole approximately twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper than the root ball itself. Carefully remove the tree from its nursery container and loosen any circling or tightly bound roots. Position the tree so the top of the root ball sits level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. Backfill using the native soil removed from the planting hole without adding compost, peat moss, sand, rock, or other amendments directly to the hole. Gently firm the soil to remove large air pockets, then water slowly and deeply throughout the root ball and surrounding soil. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the root zone, keeping it several inches away from the trunk. For individual specimens, allow approximately 15–20 feet of space for the tree’s mature canopy. Moonglow® can tolerate wetter locations than many ornamental trees but also grows well in moist, well-draining landscape soils.

USDA GROW ZONE:

Zones 5-9

Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia grows well in USDA Zones 5–9 and is especially notable for its improved cold hardiness compared with many Sweetbay Magnolias. It thrives in climates ranging from cold temperate regions to the warm, humid Southeast and performs well in full sun to partial shade. Unlike many ornamental trees, Sweetbay Magnolia naturally tolerates moist and periodically wet soils, making it useful for low areas, rain gardens, and sites near ponds or streams. Foliage retention varies by climate, with the tree tending to remain more evergreen in warmer regions and becoming semi-evergreen or deciduous in colder climates.

Important: USDA Hardiness Zones only measure a plant's cold tolerance. They do not account for heat tolerance, humidity, rainfall, or other climate factors. Always consider your local growing conditions in addition to your USDA Zone when selecting plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia typically reaches approximately 30–35 feet tall and 15–20 feet wide at maturity. It develops a relatively upright habit, making it a useful flowering tree where a narrower canopy is preferred.

Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia has a moderate to fast growth rate, typically growing approximately 1–2 feet per year once established under favorable conditions. This cultivar is known for being particularly vigorous compared with the species.

Plant Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia in full sun to partial shade with moist soil and adequate room for its mature canopy. It is an especially good choice for naturally moist locations, including rain gardens, low areas, and sites near ponds or streams, because Sweetbay Magnolia tolerates wet soil better than many ornamental trees.

Space Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolias approximately 15–20 feet apart when you want to accommodate their mature canopies. They can be planted closer, approximately 12–15 feet apart, when creating a denser screen, understanding that the canopies may eventually grow together.

Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia typically begins flowering in late spring to early summer, producing creamy white, cup-shaped flowers with a distinctive lemony fragrance. Flowers may continue to appear sporadically throughout summer.

It depends on the climate. Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia is generally evergreen to semi-evergreen in warmer climates and more deciduous in colder regions. The cultivar is known for retaining its foliage better in colder climates than many other Sweetbay Magnolias, but customers in northern areas should still expect some or complete winter leaf drop.

Yes. Sweetbay Magnolia is highly tolerant of moist and wet conditions and can grow in sites that periodically remain wet, including pond edges and low areas. This makes Moonglow® particularly useful for rain gardens and landscapes where many other ornamental trees struggle with excess moisture.

Yes. Moonglow® Sweet Bay Magnolia grows well in full sun to partial shade and has better shade tolerance than many flowering landscape trees. For strong growth and abundant flowering, however, a location receiving plenty of sunlight is preferable.

They are actually bright red seeds rather than berries. After flowering, Sweetbay Magnolia develops aggregate fruits that mature and split open to reveal showy red seeds, providing additional ornamental interest later in the growing season.

Moonglow® was selected for its vigorous growth, upright habit, improved cold hardiness, fragrant creamy white flowers, and attractive glossy foliage with silvery undersides. Compared with typical Sweetbay Magnolia, it is particularly useful for gardeners wanting the beauty and fragrance of a native Sweetbay with improved performance in colder climates.

More Details

We process and ship your order as quickly as possible, typically within 1-3 business days. You will receive a shipping confirmation with tracking information once your item(s) ship.

We have perfected packaging and shipping plants & trees! That is why we DO NOT use any third-party fulfillment like most other online retailers. Your trees go straight from our farm to your door, safely packaged by our team of seasoned professionals. Our process ensures your plants leave our facility and arrive to your door in the best condition possible!

In cases of extreme cold or hot weather, we may temporarily delay shipping to ensure the well-being of your plants. Our primary focus is on delivering healthy and thriving plants to you. Rest assured, we'll make every effort to notify you of any delays promptly.

Please allow additional ship times during inclement weather and sale periods. We do not process or ship orders on the weekend or U.S. Holidays. Simply Trees is not responsible for delays due to carriers, local disruptions, or weather.

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Learn more about our Shipping Policy

At Simply Trees, we're committed to your satisfaction. If your plants arrive considerably damaged or sustained damage beyond the point of recovery, please contact us within five days at sales@simplytrees.com with clear photos of the entire plant in question for assistance. Our 1 year guarantee covers issues after planting, subject to our terms. We can't cover plants in the wrong climate or with inadequate care, but we're here to help in other situations. For a detailed understanding of our 1 year guarantee and how we ensure a fair process, click here to learn more.

All California orders require a mandatory inspection by the Texas Department of Agriculture (yep, it’s a USDA thing!). These inspections happen about once a week—typically on Tuesdays, though the day can vary. If you place an order just after an inspection, your plant may not ship for several days until the next one. Unfortunately, we’re not able to expedite this part of the process.

Also, due to USDA regulations, we’re unable to ship oak trees, citrus or fruit trees (except olive trees) to California. This rule helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases and applies to nurseries across the country.

Thanks for your patience—we’ll make sure it’s worth the wait.

What's inside?

Your order from Simply Trees is more than just a box of plants—it’s a carefully curated experience. Here’s what’s inside:

  • We hand-select our plants for premium-quality from top growers nationwide
  • Each plant is then cleaned, prepped, and pruned to remove any blemishes and encourage new growth
  • Expertly treated and inspected for preventative measure
  • The pot is wrapped in a durable plastic bag and secured with a zip tie; house plants get extra protection with a recyclable nursery bag. Some Jumbo plants may be carefully removed from their nursery pot and burlapped to protect the rootball and ensure safe transit.
  • Your plant is strapped into our durable double-pane boxes, secured in place with a heavy-duty zip tie to ensure safe transit
  • A thank you card with a QR code leads to our guide on welcoming your new plants home

We take pride in making sure every detail is just right, so you can enjoy your new greenery from the moment it arrives.

SUSTAINABLE SHIPPING, QUALITY CARE

We've perfected the art of packaging and shipping plants and trees! Unlike most online retailers, we handle everything in-house—no third-party fulfillment. Our experienced team carefully packages your plants to ensure they arrive from our farm to your door in perfect condition.