Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri – mag-NO-lee-ah frah-SER-ee)
Common Name(s): Earleaf Cucumber Tree,Earleaf Magnolia,Earleaf Umbrella Tree,Fraser Magnolia,Mountain Magnolia
The Fraser or Mountain Magnolia is found in our mountain areas in the 1500 to 4000 ft elevations. Mountain Magnolia thrives by taking advantage of momentary forest openings. When other trees fall, its seedlings sprout in the sunlight. The species lives for 60 to 70 years, which is on the shorter end for a forest tree. When walking along the edge of the woods you may notice the large almost tropical-looking leaves (up to 15” long) and, if it is spring, you can look up to see the showy white flowers. Later in the year, the ground will be littered with the cones holding shiny red seeds.
Magnolias are an ancient genus, being one of the earliest flowering plants. These botanical relics are pollinated by beetles – bees and butterflies didn’t exist when they developed their pollination adaptation.
Family: Magnoliaceae
Height: 30 to 40 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: Creamy white
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Flower: Fragrant, large
Leaf: Copper, yellow. gold
Fruit: Cones with red seeds
Benefits: Song birds and small mammals
RESOURCES: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/magnolia-fraseri/; https://www.brnnetwork.org/2019/07/08/fraser-magnolia-trees-ancient-botanical-relics/; https://www.smith.edu/news-events/news/saving-mountain-magnolia; https://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=217.
SUBMITTED BY: Rosemary F., Bedford Extension Master Gardener.