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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Baptisia tinctoria Baptisia tinctoria
Ptelea trifoliata Small tree in the landscape.
Tetradium daniellii Bark
Magnolia x brooklynensis 'Yellow Bird' has some common insect problems:
Magnolia Scale
Yellow Poplar Weevil
Magnolia x brooklynensis 'Yellow Bird' has some common disease problems:
Flyspeck and Sooty Blotch
Sooty Molds

Magnolia x brooklynensis 'Yellow Bird'

Previously known as:

  • Magnolia acuminata 'Yellow Bird'
Phonetic Spelling
mag-NOH-lee-uh
Description

'Yellow Bird' is an artificial hybrid cultivar introduced from the Brooklyn Botanical Garden in the Magnoliaceae (magnolia) family.  This deciduous tree reaches a height of 40 feet and a width of 25 feet with a pyramidal habit when young, maturing to a more rounded crown. Unlike some hybrid magnolias, 'Yellow Bird' grows with a single trunk in a more tree-like form.

'Yellow Bird' prefers moist, humus-rich, slightly acidic soil in full sun to part shade.  Once it is established it is somewhat drought tolerant but will need occasional deep watering during the summer months. The unusual bright yellow flowers appear in late spring so are not subject to damage to late drops in temperature like other magnolias.  

This stunning flowering tree makes an excellent specimen for an Asian or cottage theme garden.  Its graceful mature shape works well in parks or recreational areas or in larger backyards.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Capsid bugs and snails may affect the tree. Horse chestnut scale, coral spot or gray mold may attack the tree

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

 

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Tags:
#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#easy to grow#yellow flowers#low maintenance#cottage garden#flowering tree#fast growing#parks#Asian garden#flowers late spring#deciduous tree#recreational areas#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#easy to grow#yellow flowers#low maintenance#cottage garden#flowering tree#fast growing#parks#Asian garden#flowers late spring#deciduous tree#recreational areas#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Magnolia
    Family:
    Magnoliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Wildlife Value:
    Fruits will attract birds.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Pyramidal
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Yellow, cup-shaped, showy flowers are up to 3 inches across and are held upright on the stem. They appear in late spring for about 3 weeks.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The elliptical green leaves have pointed tips, smooth margins and are up to 9 inches long
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Recreational Play Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought