Deciduous vs. Evergreen Magnolias

The early bloom of magnolias is a distinct trait of the species.


The differences between deciduous magnolias and evergreen magnolias go far beyond the fact that deciduous trees lose their leaves in the winter months, while evergreen trees retain theirs. Choosing one or the other depends on where you live, your landscaping preference and even the amount of work you're willing to put in to care for the magnolia. Numerous species of magnolias exist, spanning many U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones.

Planting Times

Those living in the southern portion of the United States won't notice a difference in ideal planting times between evergreen magnolias and deciduous magnolias. The USDA explains Southern growers should plant both types in early spring. Northern growers will have better luck planting evergreen magnolias in spring and deciduous magnolias in early fall.


Most evergreen magnolias thrive in warmer climates only, where temperatures in winter are mild or even cool, but not freezing. Some evergreen magnolias change to deciduous magnolias when they live in a cooler climate. One such example is the sweet bay (M. virginiana), which is evergreen in the deeper South, but deciduous farther North. Deciduous magnolias are more hardy and cold resistant as a whole. Be aware that although deciduous magnolias are hardier, the ones that have early blooms at times suffer from frost damage. The yulan (Magnolia denudata), for example, blooms in early February, while the Loebner magnolia (Magnolia x loebneri) blooms later in March to April. Sweet bay is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9. Yulan is hardy in zones 5b to 8a, and Loebner magnolia is hardy in zones 5 to 9.


One of the main draws of an evergreen magnolia is the ever present color. If your landscape lacks foliage during the winter months, an evergreen magnolia can enliven your yard. If it's size and coverage you're after, you'll want to go with a deciduous, as they tend to grow significantly faster than their evergreen counterparts.


Evergreen magnolias as a general rule are far easier to care for. Virginia Tech explains they require less pruning, which usually only involves removing dead or diseased branches. And according to the University of Minnesota, evergreen magnolias are also more tolerant of soil conditions, requiring less soil fertility than deciduous magnolias.

What They Share in Common

Although the differences between a deciduous and evergreen magnolia are certainly noticeable, they do share a few common traits. Strikingly large and often white to pink flowers bloom each spring on both types of trees. Additionally, deciduous and evergreen magnolias have larger and smaller trees, so you're bound to find a species of both types that can fit in your yard.

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