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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4' Blush hydrangea
Ilex vomitoria Ilex vomitoria
Magnolia virginiana Magnolia virginiana
Magnolia Mercury™ 'NCMX1' has some common insect problems:
Magnolia Scale
Yellow Poplar Weevil
Magnolia Mercury™ 'NCMX1' has some common disease problems:
Sooty Molds

Bull-bay Magnolia Mercury™ 'NCMX1'

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
mag-NOL-ee-ah
Description

This tree has a refined upright form reaching 40’ – 80’ in height and 30’ – 40’ in width. Trees will become very large over time and should be planted in areas where they can expand as the roots often reach well beyond the leaf canopy. Heavy leaf residue, containing allelochemicals, interferes with the establishment of plants underneath the tree.

Magnolia Mercury™ is a unique and exceptional late-blooming (often a month after typical M. soulangeana, thereby avoiding late spring frosts) magnolia tree with huge fragrant flowers that is ideal for use as a street or specimen tree. The best display is in summer when Mercury’s huge flowers put on a visual display and teases the nose with a delightful fragrance. But the tree stays green and provides a bit of color pick-me-up in the winter

Plant in full sun for best flower display with moist, organically-rich, well-drained soil. It can survive in shade, but has low drought tolerance. It cannot survive in flooded conditions, but can tolerate high moisture levels and soil salinity. It is winter hardy, tolerates air pollution, and is hurricane/storm-resistant.

Developed as a collaborative project by NC State University, J. Frank Schmidt and Son Nursery, and the late Dr. August Kehr. U.S. Plant Patent Applied for (PPAF).

Seasons of Interest:

    Bloom: Summer     Foliage: Winter, evergreen

Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: No serious insect or disease problems.

 

More information on Magnolia.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#hardy#fragrant flowers#specimen#large tree#salt tolerant#moist soil#deer resistant#nci#large flowers#pollinator plant#wet soils tolerant#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#hardy#fragrant flowers#specimen#large tree#salt tolerant#moist soil#deer resistant#nci#large flowers#pollinator plant#wet soils tolerant#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Magnolia
    Family:
    Magnoliaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The long-lasting leaves have been in holiday flower arrangements.  A variety of extracts taken from leaves, fruits, bark and wood have been used in pharmaceutical applications.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Wildlife Value:
    Seeds, which are high in fat, are a good energy source for migratory birds, squirrel, opossum, quail, turkey, mice & chipmunks. Pollinators, especially beetles, are attracted to the pollen which is high in protein.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    It is notable that magnolias are deer resistant.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Columnar
    Dense
    Pyramidal
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    more than 60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Aggregate of dry, cylindrical, hairy, 3 – 5 inch-long carpels that turn red/red-brown with age. Each follicle contains one long bright red seed.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Huge (up to 12"), showy, fragrant flowers that are red in bud and opening to bright lavender pink.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Soft
    Velvety
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Simple, alternate and oval to elliptical. Pinnate venation. Very thick and leathery without teeth. A smooth, shiny intense green surface above and a fuzzy, cinnamon brown color below. Each leaf can remain on the tree for up to 2 years.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Pollution
    Salt
    Storm damage
    Wet Soil