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Saucer Magnolia Fruit

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The magnolia tree in my yard produces this fruit each year. I love the shiny green leaves of the tree as well. The birds like this fruit. Red berries will eventually be produced as well for the birds. You could take these berries and plant new trees. I have never done that but I might give it a try. I love the evergreen tree with the nice green leaves year round. And the big white blooms all summer long make it a favorite. The birds enjoy it as well, so it is a win-win kind of tree.

The saucer magnolia (Magnolia x soulangiana) is a deciduous tree that grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. It reaches mature heights between 15 and 25 feet with an equal spread. Its red fruits ripen in collective sacs in late summer to early fall. Plant a saucer magnolia in sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. 

Some cool facts about this treee:

  • Magnolias are believed to be the earliest known flowering plants, with their fossils dating back over 100 million years. Magnolia trees even existed before bees, so they rely on beetles for pollination. Instead of nectar, the flowers produce large quantities of pollen that the beetles use for food.
  • The oldest trees on the grounds of the White House are two southern magnolias planted between 1829 and 1837 by Andrew Jackson, in memory of his wife, Rachel, who died two weeks after Jackson won the election.
  • Magnolia flowers are actually composed of “tepals,” a combination of sepals and petals similar in size and shape, comparable to water lilies.

Photos ©CarolDM2018

The tree below taken in my yard shows you just how big they can get. Over 80 feet tall.

  • Question of

    Have you seen a Magnolia tree before?

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  • Question of

    These are the huge saucer sized bloom produced by this tree. Seen these before?

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Written by Carol DM

20 Comments

  1. I’ve planted 2 magnolia Little Gems in September and last Sunday. I like the fact about magnolia trees with leaves all year round; except the saucer, lily and loebner pink varieties.

    I have cover in the front yard next winter.