Magnolias , moonshine and Spanish moss – some prototype capture the look not only of a part but of an integral fashion of life . Magnolia trees have become picture of the America ’s deep South . Alabama is home to several salmagundi of this statuesque tree . Each of them , little or large , perfumes the leaping air with its fragrant , showy blooms . Many ply rich ghost in the warmth of Alabama ’s summers .
Southern Magnolia
Southern magnolia ( Magnolia grandiflora ) is one of the most spectacular of America ’s blooming trees . With a straight trunk and pyramid - like crown , southerly magnolia stands between 50 and 100 animal foot tall . It has large ( 5 - to-10 - column inch ) leaves with deep green glossy surfaces and rust - colour undersides . During the summertime and former downslope , the closing of its branches are decorate with fragrant 6 - petaled white flower , up to 8 inches across .
Flowers heart-to-heart in the forenoon and near at dusk , with each lasting from two to three daylight before buy the farm . Showy cone - shaped carmine - dark-brown seedpods watch over the flower , opening to suspend their cerise kidney - shaped seeds from silken thread . dry leaves and strobile are utile in floral arrangements .
works southerly magnolia in part tincture and dry , acidic flaxen or loamy ground . Place Tree where their shade wo n’t move other plants . Prune immediately after blossom . Dormant magnolia have difficultness recoup from pruning .
Sweetbay Magnolia
Sweetbay magnolia ( Magnolia virginiana ) grows uncivilized in shaded woods and swampland from Florida as far north as Massachusetts . Only seldom does it reach 50 feet in warmer parts of the country . More typically , this tree diagram stands between 12 and 20 feet , make it an excellent choice for belittled sphere .
Sweetbay magnolia ’s multiple trunks have horizontal branches producing spicily odorous twigs and leaves . foliage color look on localization . Southern trees , which may be evergreen , have bass green foliage . northerly trees lose their bronze leaves in the fall .
Each branch produces a single , fragrant , densely petaled clean peak ( 4 to 6 inches long ) stick to by a mystifying red cone cell with visible red seeds . Like those of southern magnolias , says the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center , sweetbay ’s blossom live only two to three days . Disease - and - blighter - repellent sweetbay tolerates any moist , rich acidulent grime . institute it in a partly suspect smirch and be patient . It ’s a tedious grower , take as long as five years to bloom .
Cucumbertree
Cucumbertree ( Magnolia acuminata ) may not be a common Alabama magnolia , but it outlive as far north as Canada . Reaching up to 75 feet high , this excellent shade tree has benighted unripened 6 - to-10 - inch leaves that become yellowish in autumn . three - inch , yellow - green flowers come out high on cuke tree in May and June . Both its buds and flowers are edible .
Bright red cucumber - shape germ cone cell follow the flowers . tree often dribble their yield with seeded player intact , provide food for small mammals and birds . Plant cucumber magnolia in sunshine to shade where its fall leaves and yield wo n’t be a problem . It tolerates any moist , fat acidulent filth , but wo n’t endure befoulment , prolong drouth or wet periods .
