Member Trip Members-only Class - Birmingham Botanical Gardens

G ARDENING
6
Good Things Growing…
In The Gardens Fred Spicer, Executive Director
Sweetbay magnolia, Magnolia virginiana, (below left) is
a beautiful small tree with many subtle qualities. It’s
a shame that this well-adapted and pest-free native
is often overlooked when small trees are needed. It
has an upright and multi-trunked habit, on which the
leaves are borne towards the ends of the branches
like loose, soft clouds. The leaves are matte-smooth,
oblong like rhododendron, medium green on top
and silvery beneath (below, top right). The latter quality
is much-discussed in the literature, deservedly so,
as breezes create a nice, understated shimmering
effect. The flowers (right) are creamy-white, and lemony-sweet, occurring in moderation
throughout May and June, and sporadically into September on mature plants.
Primarily a Coastal Plain species occurring from MA and NY (Long Island) south through
Florida, and west to eastern TX, sweetbay is also found in the Piedmont from NJ south
through the Carolinas and GA and west, sporadically into MS and AR. It rarely occurs
in low elevation southern mountain bogs. Some
taxonomists treat the smaller, more deciduous,
northern populations as var. virginiana, northern
sweetbay, and the larger, evergreen southern
populations as var. australis, southern sweetbay.
Between native stands in NJ and AL, the variation
is quite pronounced; in NJ 15-20’ in height is the
norm. In AL, I’ve seen plants in the wild over 60’
tall, although 30-40’ is more likely in cultivation,
after many years.
Sweetbay prefers moist, acid habitats in the wild,
like swamps,
stream
edges,
and other
drainage
ways. In
Alabama, it
is relatively
common in such habitats in the southeastern twothirds
of the state. Here, it competes favorably
under and alongside its close relative southern
magnolia, M. grandiflora, and other large wetland
trees. In cultivation, however, sweetbay shows
excellent drought tolerance and also thrives in open,
sunny locations. It makes an ideal lawn, edge-ofthe-woods,
courtyard or patio specimen and is
beautiful in formal and informal groupings alike. See
sweetbay at The Gardens near Sonat Lake and in the
Kaul Wildflower Garden.
For more information on Magnolia virginiana, please
go to www.bbgardens.org.
Gardening Tips
for March/April
Courtesy of
www.aces.edu
MAY
FRUITS AND NUTS – Continue
spray program. Keep grass from
around trees and strawberries.
Peaches and apples can still be
budded.
SHRUBS – Newly planted shrubs
need extra care now and in
coming weeks. Don’t spray with
oil emulsions when temperature is
above 85 °F.
LAWNS – Now is the best time to
start lawns from seed. Water new
lawns as needed to prevent drying.
Keep established lawns actively
growing by watering, fertilizing
and mowing. Spray weeds in lawns
with proper herbicide.
ROSES – Spray or dust for insects
and diseases. Fertilize monthly
with complete fertilizer or rose
special. Container-grown plants
in flower may be planted. Prune
climbing roses after the first big
flush offlowering.
ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS –
Late plantings of bedding plants
still have time to produce. Watch
for insects on day lilies.
BULBS – Summer bulbs started
in containers may still be planted.
Do not remove foliage from
spring flowering bulbs. Do not
let seedheads form on tulips and
other spring flowering bulbs.
MISCELLANEOUS – Mulch new
shrub plantings if not already
done. Avoid drying out new shrub,
tree and lawn plantings.
VEGETABLE SEED – Plant heatloving
and tender vegetables. Start
cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and
celery in coldframe for fall garden.
VEGETABLE PLANTS – Plant
tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and
sweet potatoes.