Can a Raised Flower Bed Be Put Around an Established Magnolia Tree?

Southern Magnolia

• Probably the most recognizable of all magnolias with its 12-inch white flowers, southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) grows to 80 feet and spreads as wide as 40 feet. Gardeners should leave the magnolia's lower branches intact, allowing them to grow to the ground. This process protects the tree's ropelike surface roots. With the magnolia's 10-inch foliage, any attempt at gardening beneath these leatherlike leaves would fail.

Japanese Magnolia

• Sometimes referred to as a saucer magnolia, the Japanese magnolia sports white, pink, yellow or purple blooms in early spring before the leaves appear. If you have an established tree in your yard, this is one variety you can surround with a raised flower bed. As with all trees, do not disturb the roots when positioning the raised bed. Even though the Japanese magnolia's foliage does not filter all the sunlight as with its southern magnolia cousin, it does create a shady environment. Choose flowers that thrive in partial or full shade for your raised-bed garden.

Cucumbertree Magnolia

• If cucumbertree magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) appears in your yard, you could surround it with a raised flower bed, as its limb growth habit does not descend to the ground as with the southern magnolia. This variety's leaves are smaller than other varieties, measuring from 4 to 9 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide, therefore making a bed under the cucumbertree magnolia acceptable for flowers that can grow in a partial shade environment.

Raised Beds

• Because the root system lies so close to the surface, take extra care when loosening the soil at the raised-bed location under your magnolia tree. Construct the raised bed narrow enough so that you can easily work in it. Fill the raised flower bed with organic matter such as well-rotted leaves, aged manure and compost. Top off the organics with native soil from your yard. Contact your county extension agent for instructions about soil testing. With the results of the test you can determine the need for amendments such as fertilizer or lime. When finished with the raised bed and after it's filled with the proper planting medium, plant your flowers, adding mulch to maintain moisture levels and feed the soil as it breaks down.