Sweetbay Magnolia
'First bloom'Magnolia virginiana
Magnoliaceae · broadleaf evergreen tree · introduced
Last updated
Magnolia virginiana (Magnoliaceae) is a deciduous to semi-evergreen tree native to the eastern United States from Massachusetts to Florida and west to Texas. It reaches up to 60 feet tall and 19 feet wide. The creamy white, lemon-scented flowers (5 to 8 cm wide) have a water-lily shape and appear in late spring to early summer. Dark, cucumber-like fruit pods split to reveal red seeds.
Sweetbay magnolia is one of the few magnolias that tolerates wet and even boggy soils. It prefers sun to part shade on acidic substrates (pH 5.0 to 6.9) with high moisture. In the northern part of its range it may be fully deciduous; further south it tends to be semi-evergreen to evergreen. The cultivar 'Jim Wilson' is a popular selection. It blooms on old wood. Documented diseases include bacterial blight, leaf spot, powdery mildew, root and cutting rots, and verticillium wilt; magnolia scale is also documented. Hardy in Zones 5a to 8b.
Plant Profile
Size & Form
Site Requirements
Ornamental Interest
Active Conidial Spread
Root Colonization Period
Diseases: Regionally Documented (5)
Phenological Calendar
As of June 3, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 2435.5 to 2672.8 GDD₃₂. Sweetbay Magnolia has passed 'first bloom' (1932 GDD₃₂).
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Jun 3, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 2,673 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| Kent / Auburn | 2,665 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| Seattle / UW | 2,610 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 2,570 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 2,535 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 2,533 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 2,436 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
View full calendar (1 stages)
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| ● 'First bloom' BBCH '61' NOW | 1932 | '' |
Source: 'Master catalog (OSU), converted GDD50->GDD32 via Kent bloom-date mapping' About GDD₃₂ →
Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Jun 3, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Jun 19, 2026, then climate normals.