native plants primer - SFA Gardens - Stephen F. Austin State ...

Magnolia macrophylla Bigleaf Magnolia
Height: 30-40 feet.
Leaves: 12-32 inches long, 7-12 inches wide, bright green and glabrous above, silvery gray and
downy below, (deciduous)
Flower: creamy white, 8-10 inches across, 6 petals, fragrant, June
A round-headed, cumbersome, deciduous landscape specimen; needs to be positioned out of
the wind; A fine candidate for the edge of a creek in a sheltered location with part sun for four to
six hours per day. Can burn in a drought so should be positioned to receive an emergency
irrigation during the worst dry spells. Giant leaves the main interest but flowers are huge,
fragrant and awe inspiring. Litter problems makes this a better woodland plant than a specimen
for the well-manicured yard. Being hit by a 30"-long leaf is not funny to the average homeowner.
Magnolia pyramidata Pyramid magnolia
Height: 25 to 40 feet
Leaves: 6-8 inches long, bright green above, (deciduous)
Flower: 6-15 petalled, 4 inches in diameter, creamy white
A rare plant in Texas known only from one provenance on the Jasper/Newton county line. A
slender tree with ascending branches; likes moist rich soils; works well along creeks or streams,
adds flavor to the landscape with leaf and bark interest; worthy of introduction into East Texas
landscapes to "rescue" the species.
Magnolia virginiana Sweet bay
Height: 10 - 50 feet
Leaves: dark green above, white below (deciduous)
Flower: creamy white, lemon scented, May-June
Graceful small specimen tree, foliage is handsome in wind as it buffets the leaves exposing the
underside. M. virginiana var. australis is semi-evergreen in the SFASU arboretum. Dodd's
nursery, Semmes Alabama is marketing a little-leaf, little-bloom dwarf sweet bay that appears to
have merit. Ours has been very slow to get started! Prefers moist soil but quite tolerant of dry
soils once well established.
MYRICACEAE
Myrica cerifera southern wax myrtle
Height: 10 - 20 feet
Leaves: dark green glossy above, yellow dotted below (evergreen)