Going beyond the hardiness zones

Possible growing range for Southern Magnolia

Southern Magnolias are a true symbol of the south. They are known for their thick rubbery leaves and giant white flowers that bloom each May with a fragrance so sweet they could be detected from long distances. Magnolia Grandiflora is a tree native to the Southeastern U.S coastal states and has become an American symbolism. President Andrew Jackson planted one at the White House, and later it was placed on the U.S stamp. There is something special about the scent of a Magnolia blossom on the first warm spell of a southern summer night. At least this is what I've been told! I really wouldn't know because I grew up in Northern Wisconsin far removed the nearest Southern Magnolia. I've never been able to experience one in bloom. The map above shows the possible growing range for Magnolia Grandiflora.

Southern Magnolia in Kansas City Suburb of Liberty

Well now that I live 330 miles farther south here in Iowa I am certainly much closer, but even with this new closeness Des Moines is still way out of the possible growing range. There is absolutely no green on that map anywhere near Iowa. You'd have to go 150 miles south into Missouri reach the edge. Kansas City is known as the very northern edge of the area which growing Southern Magnolia is considered possible. I just got back from a trip there last week and it's quite aggravating because Kansas City is just so dang close! It's like seeing the cake but not getting to have any! What makes them so special anyway. I know it is considerably warmer there but a person can be there in a short 2 and a half hours drive. Well I'm in Iowa but that has not stopped me from wanting to have a Southern Magnolia in my own yard. There is something about them that makes them so desirable to me. The stories of their flowers and their rubber-like tropical looking leaves which hold evergreen through the winter make them appealing to try one. Just the fact they're so anti-Midwest in every way I can see the curb appeal and uniqueness they could add to our gardens. This is exactly why I went against the laws of horticulture and the map above and planted one in my Des Moines, Iowa yard.

Southern Magnolia in my own yard

Well, there you have it, a real live southern Magnolia in Des Moines, Iowa. Isn't is the most beautiful amazing thing you have ever seen?!? Well... Maybe it does look a little sickly, so, anyone wondering why it look so thin? It's pretty obviously, its because I have a sub tropical plant in a place one absolutely shouldn't be. That and because you are seeing the plant after its been through 1 harsh winter and heading into its second.  I planted it October of 2017 and its been through a very harsh winter last year. While last winters cold snaps were not long lived we had one night when it fell to -19.F  Magnolia Grandiflora is only reliability hardy down to -15.F. Apparently that 4 degrees makes a huge difference because come spring what was a beautiful 5 foot tree when I bought it in Kansas City lost every single one of its "evergreen" leaves and half the tree turned black and died. I was about to give up on it completely when a few leaves starting to grow come from the base and a few branches on the north side of tree so with persistence from my mom who felt bad for it, I decided it deserved a chance. All of the leaves seen here are what grew last summer. Even though beaten by an Iowa Winter the Magnolia did technically survive however so that is a step in the right direction anyway! I've done much research in growing Southern Magnolias in northerly latitudes, planting larger trees in spring is the way to go for these. My choice to plant in October might have been my downfall, but with luck maybe this tree will bounce back. If not I'm certainly game for trying one more time! Especially since I know my tree is not the only success story here in Iowa. I personally know of at least two others one in Iowa City at the University and a person who has one on property in Davenport. His trees has been in place for over 10 years and his have become established enough that they have had very little leaf loss or die back! Some day I will have to tell the story of this very impressive tree.