Yellow Bird Magnolia

Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Yellow Bird’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Flowering Large Shrub or Mid-size Tree

Height at Maturity: 30 to 40′

Width at Maturity: 20-25′

Spacing: 15′ for solid hedge; 30’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Upright

Flower Color: Bright Yellow
Flower Size: Large, 3.5″

Flowering Period: Mid to Late Spring

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Rich Green to Dark 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 (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: Deer – more info, Disease, Drought, Heat, Humidity, Insect

Description

A unique and interesting hybrid, the Yellow Bird Magnolia, also known as yellow tulip tree, produces an abundance of tulip-like flowers with bright yellow petals that are perched upright at the ends of almost every stem on the tree in spring. The flower buds begin opening just before new leaves emerge and continue over a long period of about 45 days. The large, elongated leaves are rich green with a somewhat leathery appearance, which contrasts nicely with other landscape plants that have a lighter or darker foliage. Grows naturally in a conical to pyramidal form up to 40 feet tall and 25 feet wide so leave plenty of space for this magnificent tree to grow.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 30 to 40 feet tall and 20 to 25 feet wide at maturity, the Yellow Bird Magnolia is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings or to line a drive or walkway in sunny to partially shaded landscape borders and is also nice to frame corners or grow against a large open wall in tall home foundation plantings. 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. A fine addition to yellow theme gardens and cottage gardens.

Growing Preferences

Yellow Bird 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

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Plant just went into the ground a few weeks ago. Obviously too early to tell how it will bloom.
The plant arrived in excellent condition. Well packed & healthy looking.
So far it is still alive despite the crazy weather we have been having!!——————————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the awesome review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG