Betty Magnolia

Magnolia ‘Betty’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-8b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Flowering Large Shrub or Small Tree

Height at Maturity: 10-15′

Width at Maturity: 10-12′

Spacing: 16’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Rounded

Flower Color: Pinkish Purple

Flower Size: Large, 8″ diameter

Flowering Period: Mid-Spring and sporadically through Summer

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: Yes

Foliage Color: Green to Dark Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Resistances: Deer, Disease, Drought, Heat, Humidity, Insect

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Evening Sun

Water Needs: Average, Low when established

Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist

Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5 (Acid to Slightly Acid)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Drought, Insects, Disease

Description

A member of the “Little Girl” group of hybrids developed at the U.S. National Arboretum, the Betty Magnolia is a slow-growing very hardy large shrub or small tree that smothers itself in beautiful flowers before leaves emerge in spring. Perched at the ends of almost every stem tip, the flowers start out as reddish-purple buds that open to pinkish-purple tulip-shape flowers which finally flop fully open to an 8″ diameter star-like pattern. A cross between M. liliiflora ‘Nigra’ and M. stellata ‘Rosea’ gives ‘Betty’ her unique flower shape and color. Like the other Little Girls, Betty flowers about 2 to 4 weeks later than M. stellata and M. x soulangiana, thus reducing the risk of damage to flowers from late spring frosts. You can expect sporadic re-bloom through summer. The large, elongated leaves are dark green with a somewhat leathery appearance that contrasts nicely with other landscape plants which have a finer foliage.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing upright with a rounded form to 10 to 15 feet tall and wide, the Betty Magnolia is ideal for use as a specimen or in groupings in sunny landscape and woodland borders or to frame corners or against a large open wall in home foundation plantings. As she grows taller lower branches can be removed to form a highly attractive small tree excellent for use as a focal point specimen in the landscape. Can also be grown in large pots, planters and containers of 18 inches or more in rim diameter. A fine addition to purple theme gardens, fragrance gardens, cut flower gardens, or the cottage garden.

Growing Preferences

Betty Magnolia is easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained acidic soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. She prefers full sun for best flowering, however will handle some partial shade. In the South, some shade during the hottest mid-afternoon certainly own’t hurt. Avoid constantly soggy or wet soils. In alkaline soils, apply soil sulfur and/or chelated iron to increase acidity. Pruning usually isn’t necessary, however stray or damaged branches can be pruned immediately after flowering in spring. Feed after flowering in spring with a mild organic plant food or a well-balanced shrub and tree food containing iron or sulfur.

Helpful Articles

Click on the link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, prune, feed and water Ann Magnolia tree.

How To Plant & Care For Tulip & Star Magnolias

Plant Long & Prosper!

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Questions? Contact Us

Arrived in 110 heat nice size. Rested in shade. It started losing leaves but the heat is overwhelming right now. It’s been planted in big pot on wheels so it can be moved with the weather. Once the rains come it should be fine. Thank you.—————————————————-Hopefully it wiil adjust, keep us posted. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I ordered this magnolia for my daughter who lives in Wyoming. Shipping was great, I was informed all through the process where my plant was and when it would arrive. I came very well protected and in great shape. My daughter is very happy and the plant is thriving in her yard. Thank you for offering such great plants.————————————————-Thanks for the great review! We are so glad yall are pleased! Beth | WBG 🙂

Betty’s been in the ground for about two weeks and she seems to be very happy. New growth is evident and, despite some very cold winds (we had snow in New England in mid-May), there’s not one spot of wind burn on her.
So far, I’m very pleased with this tree and the service/follow-up from Wilson Brothers Gardens. Believe me when I say that this is, by far, one of the top two online retail nurseries. Over the past 5 years, I’ve bought $1000’s worth of plants, shrubs, and trees online and Wilson Brothers beats everyone on website design/descriptions, plant quality, packing, responsiveness and pricing. This was particularly important this year with the pandemic and not being able to get to the nursery myself. I had a big landscaping project for our home and Wilson Brothers Gardens provided a number of the specimen plants that are anchors to the design.—————————————–Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG