Magnolia virginiana 'Moonglow' Sweetbay Magnolia
Height: 15.00 to 35.00 feet
Spread: 10.00 to 20.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: Creamy white
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
‘Jim Wilson’, commonly sold as MOONGLOW, is distinguished from the species by (1) more vigorous upright growth, (2) better cold hardiness with semi-evergreen foliage in the northern part of its range, and (3) slightly larger flowers. This is a medium-sized tree with an oval to vase-shaped form. It typically grows over time to 35’ tall with a spread of 18’. Cup-shaped, sweetly fragrant (lemony), 9-12 petaled, creamy white, waxy flowers (2-3” diameter) appear in mid-spring (May-June) for about one month and sometimes continue sporadically in the summer. Semi-evergreen elliptic to lanceolate leaves are glossy dark green above and silvery-green below. Cone-like fruits with bright red seeds mature in fall and can be showy.