Greenback Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora ‘MGTIG’ PP 9243 – GREENBACK
Other Names: Mgtig Magnolia, Migtig Magnolia
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Tree
Height at Maturity: 30-35′
Width at Maturity: 15-20′
Spacing: 8-10′ for solid hedge; 22’+ for space between plants
Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Conical, Pyramidal
Flower Color: White
Flower Size: Large, 6-8″
Flowering Period: Late Spring through Summer
Flower Type: Single
Fragrant Flowers: Yes – extremely fragrant!
Foliage Color: Dark Green
Fragrant Foliage: No
Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun, Morning Shade with Evening Sun
Water Needs: Average; tolerates a wet soil
Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sand (amend quick-draining soil to retain moisture), Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained to Wet (not standing water)
Soil pH: 4.5 – 7.5 (Acid to Slightly Alkaline)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Attracts: Butterflies, beneficial Pollinators, Birds, Visual Attention
Resistances: Deer, Disease, Heat, Humidity, Insect, Wet Soil (Not standing water)
Description
One of our favorite varieties, Magnolia grandiflora ‘MGTIG’, which goes by the trademark name ‘Greenback’, is an evergreen southern Magnolia selection with outstanding, superior qualities. It has a dense, narrow, tidy and symmetrical pyramidal form to 35 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide when all grown up, and is densely clothed in glossy, rich green leaves that are considerably smaller that those of its cousins and green on the undersides, hence the common name. Appearing late spring throughout summer, large 6 to 8 inch diameter flowers are extremely fragrant, filling the landscape with that wonderful lemony aroma typical of other southern magnolias. Handling all the heat and humidity you can give it, and thriving in moist to wet soils, Greenback Magnolia makes for a fine specimen and can also be used to frame the corners of tall homes and other buildings or in privacy screen plantings. Also a good fit for large containers and planters. Excellent near patios, porches, decks, terraces and other outdoor living spaces where the heavenly fragrance can be enjoyed from close up.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing upright to 35 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide, the Greenback Magnolia is ideal for use in privacy screen plantings, as a focal point specimen, in groupings or to frame the corners of tall homes and other buildings. Can also be used as espalier, trained to grow flat against a wall) or grown in large planters and containers. A fine addition to fragrance gardens, white theme gardens, native plant gardens, cottage gardens, bog gardens and bird and wildlife gardens.
Suggested Spacing: 8 to 10 feet for solid privacy screens; 22 feet or more for space between trees
See: Privacy Screen Planting Tips & Instructions
Growing Preferences
Greenback Magnolia is very easy to grow in most any average moist but well-drained soil, preferring one that is rich in organic matter. It will also thrive in wet soils, but not standing water. It grows well in full sun, part shade or all-day filtered sun. For best density of foliage and flowering, we suggest 4 hours or more of direct sunlight per day. Very low maintenance and never requires pruning. That said, stray branches can be pruned for shaping purposes or lower branches can be removed to expose the trunk to a desired height.
Helpful Articles
Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, prune, feed and water Southern Magnolia trees.
How To Plant & Care For Southern Magnolia Trees
Privacy Screen Design Planting Tips & Instructions
Plant Long & Prosper!
Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff
Questions? Contact Us
I am a first-time customer with Wilson Bros Gardens. I purchased three magnolias: ‘Claudia Wannamaker’, ‘Southern Charm’ (TeddyBear®), and ‘MGTIG’ (“Greenback”). I was blown away by how large and healthy all three trees were when they arrived. At 3 gal, I was expecting small saplings. I am so very impressed and pleased with my order.——————————————Awesome! Thanks so much for the photo and for your review. Let us know if there’s ever anything we can help you with. 🙂 – Beth | WBG























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