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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Aesculus flava
Styphnolobium japonicum
Symplocos tinctoria
Magnolia x brooklynensis has some common insect problems:
Magnolia Scale

Magnolia x brooklynensis

Phonetic Spelling
mag-NO-lee-ah brook-lih-NEN-sis
Description

This hybrid deciduous magnolia tree in the magnolia family (Magnoliaceae) was developed by the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens to create yellow flowered magnolias. It is a cross between the cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) and lily magnolia (Magnolia lilliflora) and several cultivars have since been selected. The specific epithet is in reference to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Brooklyn, New York.

This tree will grow up to 40 feet tall and 25 feet wide. This magnolia prefers full sun to partial shade in humus-rich, well-drained soil that is kept consistently moist. Avoid planting in a southern exposure too close to a structure to prevent buds from opening too soon especially in the more northern of its growing zones.

The large, fragrant, light-yellow flowers are up to 3 inches across and appear in late spring along with new leaf growth. Leaves are glossy dark green and up to 10 inches long. 

Use this magnolia as a flowering shade tree in a large yard where the flowers can be appreciated. 

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.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape :
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Elizabeth'
    Cream flowers, Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
  • ‘Evamaria’
    Flowers ae pale purple with hints of yellow, orange, and green
  • 'Hattie Carthan'
    Yyellow blooms with purple streaks at the base
  • 'Lois'
    Bright yellow flowers
  • ‘Woodsman’
    Multicolored flowers
  • 'Yellow Bird' Flower and leaves
    Considered the best yellow flowering magnolia
'Elizabeth', ‘Evamaria’, 'Hattie Carthan', 'Lois', ‘Woodsman’, 'Yellow Bird'
Tags:
#flowering tree#showy flowers#yellow flowers#deciduous tree#shade tree#fragrant flowers
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Elizabeth'
    Cream flowers, Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
  • ‘Evamaria’
    Flowers ae pale purple with hints of yellow, orange, and green
  • 'Hattie Carthan'
    Yyellow blooms with purple streaks at the base
  • 'Lois'
    Bright yellow flowers
  • ‘Woodsman’
    Multicolored flowers
  • 'Yellow Bird' Flower and leaves
    Considered the best yellow flowering magnolia
'Elizabeth', ‘Evamaria’, 'Hattie Carthan', 'Lois', ‘Woodsman’, 'Yellow Bird'
Tags:
#flowering tree#showy flowers#yellow flowers#deciduous tree#shade tree#fragrant flowers
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Magnolia
    Species:
    x brooklynensis
    Family:
    Magnoliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract pollinators. Fruits will attract birds.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    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 pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Aggregate
    Follicle
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are cone-like aggregations of follicles. Each follicle opens to reveal a seed, which often has a colorful, fleshy seed coat.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Yellow blooms up to 3 inches across are fragrant, long-lasting and showy. They appear in spring with the new leaves.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Glossy, elliptic to ovate dark green leaves have a pointed tip and are 9 to 10 inches long and turn yellow brown in the fall.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Flowering Tree
    Shade Tree
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Songbirds