Magnolia 'Daybreak'

Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit

Magnolia Daybreak is a small- to medium-sized flowering deciduous tree with an unusual columnar habit, growing 20 to 25 feet high with a spread of only 6 to 12 feet. This magnolia is perfect as a small shade, specimen, or accent tree in small, narrow spaces in city and courtyard gardens, where its architectural branches will continue to add winter interest.

A mid- to late-season bloomer, the tree sets showy cup-shaped flowers in late spring. The large flowers are 9 to 10 inches across and have prettily splayed pastel pink petals and a nice citrus scent. The blooms appear on upright stems as the 10-inch-long, wavy-margined pale green leaves emerge. The blooms attract birds and butterflies and are lovely cut flowers.

A low maintenance tree, Daybreak magnolia grows best in a sunny to partially shady spot sheltered from strong, cold winds. It prefers organically rich, medium moist, well-draining soil, having a neutral (6.6 - 7.3) to slightly acidic pH (6.1 - 6.5). Young trees will benefit from regular irrigation and mulch around the base to retain moisture. The tree requires little to no pruning, but any desired pruning should be done immediately after flowering.

For more insights on successfully planting and caring for your trees, visit our blog, When Planting Trees Take the Time to Know Their Needs. Additionally, to ensure your trees receive optimal hydration, explore our range of irrigation products, including the Greenwell Water Saver and the TreeDiaper Hydration System, on our Irrigation page. These resources will help you provide the best care for your new trees.