What Flowers Grow Under Magnolia?

Perennials

• Perennial flowers come back year after year, so plan their placement under the magnolia tree carefully. Species that produce light-colored flowers are more visible in shaded sites. Japanese anemones (Anemone X hybrida) bloom from summer through fall with white and pink flowers. These perennials grow to 4 feet tall and thrive in partial shade. For shady, moist sites, plant foamflowers (Tiarella cordifolia); these 12-inch-tall perennials bloom in spring with white flowers. They spread quickly and can be grown as ground cover. Bear’s breeches (Acanthus spinosus) also thrive in partial shade. These 4-foot-tall perennials produce white and purple spikes of in midsummer and have eye-catching, spiny foliage.

Annuals

• Annuals only live for one season, but many bloom for months. Shade-tolerant varieties include pinks (Dianthus chinensis), which grow from 6 to 18 inches tall and bloom with red, pink and white flowers from spring through autumn. For fragrance, plant sweetwilliam (Dianthus barbatus), a spring-bloomer that produces aromatic white, pink, lavender and salmon flowers. Sweetwilliam grows to 18 inches tall and thrives in partial shade. Wishbone flowers (Torenia fournieri) also grow well in shady, moist sites. These 12-inch-tall annuals bloom from summer through autumn with blue, purple, yellow and white blossoms.

Wildflowers

• Wildflowers are native to North America. Ornamental varieties that can grow under magnolias include the swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolia). This 6- to 10-foot perennial tolerates and range of site conditions, including moist to wet soil. It blooms in fall with yellow flowers. For spring blooms, plant wood anenomes (Anemone quinquefolia). These shade-tolerant wildflowers produce white flowers from spring through summer and grow to 9 inches tall.

Ground Covers

• Flowering ground covers prevent weed growth and erosion under a magnolia. Compatible species include epimedium (Epimedium spp.). This deciduous plant grows to 10 inches tall and forms a mat of green foliage. It blooms in late spring or early summer with pink, red and white flowers. For blue blossoms, plant bigleaf periwinkle (Vinca major). This fast-growing evergreen spreads rapidly and thrives in shady sites. It blooms in spring with funnel-shaped flowers and grows from 8 to 18 inches tall.