Lois Magnolia

Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Lois’

Other Common Names: Lois Tulip Tree

Plant Details

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

Plant Type: Flowering Large Shrub or Mid-size Tree

Height at Maturity: 20-30′

Width at Maturity: 12-20′

Spacing: 22’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Upright Pyramid

Flower Color: Deep Yellow buds open to Deep Yellow flowers softening with age
Flower Size: Large, 3.5-4″

Flowering Period: Spring, before new leaves emerge

Flower Type: Single, tulip-shape

Fragrant Flowers: Yes, lemony

Foliage Color: Rich Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

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 (amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained

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

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Drought (when established), Insect

Description

Introduced by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in 1988, ‘Lois’ Magnolia is a cross between M. acuminata, cucumber tree, and M. denudata, Yulan magnolia. Before new leaves emerge in spring, abundant deep yellow buds open to lemony fragrant, tulip-shaped vivid yellow flowers that soften in color as they age over a period of about three weeks, which is much longer than some tulip magnolia varieties. The spring bloom also occurs a little later than others and flowers form on the tip of every twig on the tree. The large, 5 to 8 inch obovate leaves are rich green and provide lushness in the landscape through the season. Lois grows naturally in a pyramidal form to 20 to 30 feet tall and 15 or so feet wide at maturity. A magnificent tree that will always have you looking forward to spring.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 20 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide at maturity, the Lois Magnolia is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings or to line a drive or walkway in sunny to partially shaded landscape borders. It is also nice to frame corners of homes and other structures. Provides welcome shade when planted near patios, low decks and other outdoor living spaces. Can also be grown in large pots, planters and containers of 18 inches or more in rim diameter but will eventually need to be transplanted to the landscape. A fine addition to yellow theme gardens, fragrance and sensory gardens and cottage gardens.

Growing Preferences

Lois Magnolia is easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained acidic soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. It prefers full sun for best flowering, however will handle partial shade. In the South, some shade during the hottest mid-afternoon hours of summer will be appreciated. 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 Tulip Tree Magnolias.

How To Plant & Care For Tulip & Star Magnolias

Plant Long & Prosper!

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I’ve ordered from a few nurseries and this one is by far the best one. The customer service is outstanding and they even have a very friendly horticulturist to help with any specific plant questions. I ordered two trees and they arrived quickly, very well packaged and in perfect health. This magnolia is over 5 feet tall and perfectly shaped! It has big, glossy, healthy leaves and it’s full of huge fuzzy buds! I was so happy with my purchase that I placed another order for shrubs and they were also just as exceptional! I will order from this nursery again!——————————————————Wow! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG