When Do Magnolia Flowers Bloom?

Magnolias bloom at a range of times in the spring and summer months; certain species bloom early, while others wait until summertime. You'll need to know what type of tree you have to determine when it will bloom.

Early Bloomers

• Some magnolia trees bloom in early spring, from February to May. The white-blooming Centennial Star, the fuchsia-blooming Ann Magnolia and the bicolored Saucer magnolia are early bloomers. Saucer magnolias' flowers are white inside and purple-pink outside.

Late Bloomers

• Late-blooming magnolias tend to blossom in late spring (May or June), although some, like the Southern magnolia, display sporadic blooms into the summer months. Other late-blooming magnolias include the Jane magnolia with its deep purple blooms, the Cucumbertree magnolia with greenish flowers and the creamy white Sweetbay magnolia.

Considerations

• Most magnolias are hardy from U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Map zones 4 to 7 or zones 4 to 8. One notable exception is the Southern magnolia, which grows in zones 6 to 9. Your climate can affect bloom time; trees blossom earlier in areas that have milder climates.