Most people are familiar with the introduced Magnolias that bloom in early spring, but this is a native that grows in coastal areas from Massachusetts to Florida and Texas.
In our area, this upright grower maxes out at about 20 feet with similar width. Its flower comes later in the season as a creamy white, yellow centered, lemon scented bloom that is scattered over the tree from May to June or longer.
The leaf is dark green with a silvery underside. The Sweet bay or Swamp Magnolia can handle wet sites and even shady conditions with no known pests or predators. This is a great small tree for fragrance and ornamentation.
