Where to Plant a Sweetbay Tree?

Winter Hardiness

• Sweetbay magnolia trees survive winters that get as cold as minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit but usually are killed back to the lower parts of the trunk or the roots. In such cold winter areas, it regrows each spring and persists more like a shrub than a tree. For a more traditional tree form with no winter dieback, grow sweetbay in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 9. Avoid siting the tree in a location that is wind-swept or unusually cold in winter.

Soil Conditions

• The sweetbay must grow in an acidic soil -- pH 4.5 to 6.5 -- to remain healthy. Non-acidic soils quickly lead to nutrient deficiencies, first seen as yellow leaves. Plant sweetbay in a fertile soil that is moist to wet. The more organic matter in the soil, the better. Mulching the soil around the sweetbay with coarse compost, leaf litter or acid-forming pine bark or needles is beneficial. Do not plant this magnolia in dry sandy soils.

Light Needs

• Full sun to partial shade exposures suffice for a sweetbay. The more sun, the more leaves and branches that grow, creating a more widespread canopy. In shade, the tree may look more open or sparse and lean toward the light source. Much more heat and need for soil moisture arises in sunnier locales. In full sun, maintain a wetter soil than if the tree is in more shade. Irrigation is necessary if a sweetbay is planted in full sun and soil is naturally porous and well-drained. Even if the sandy soil is amended and improved with organic matter, more frequent watering is needed to offset the fast-draining quality of the sand.

Garden Location Insight

• Although sweetbay produces pretty creamy white, lemon-scented flowers, they are not produced in as much profusion as other magnolia species. The blossoms also are partially masked by the leaves. There's no need to plant the sweetbay in a prominent location in the yard if you're expecting a show-stopping floral display, although a breeze carries the fragrance nicely if close to a window, entrance door or patio. Plant the tree in a naturally wet or moist soil area where irrigation isn't usually required. Whether in full sun or dappled shade, a sweetbay looks best if not crowded by other trees. It may be planted as a lone specimen or incorporated into a mixed shrub or perennial border.