Betty Magnolia
Hardy Betty Magnolia blooms late in spring, deep wine-red
About Betty Magnolia
Betty Magnolia is a compact, deciduous shrub that produces wine-red tulip-shaped blooms in mid-to-late spring. Part of the U.S. National Arboretum's 'Little Girl' series, it's valued for flowering later than other magnolias, which means its buds escape late spring frosts. The blooms carry a light fragrance. It's a low-maintenance, hardy choice for gardens in zones 4 through 8.
This guide covers planting, care, troubleshooting, and sourcing. You'll learn where to plant Betty Magnolia to get full sun or part shade, how much water it needs, what to expect through the seasons, and how to handle common issues. From site preparation through long-term care, these resources support gardeners at every stage.
Buy Betty Magnolia
Nursery-grown plants shipped in their container, with our planting and care guides to go with them.
From $80.55
Sizes: 1 Gallon Shrub, 3 Gallon Shrub Form 3-4' Feet Tall
Shop Betty MagnoliaQuick facts
- USDA zones
- 4-8
- Mature height
- 10-15 ft (some sources cite up to 15-20 ft over a long period)
- Mature width
- 8-15 ft
- Sun
- full sun to part shade; best flowering in full sun
- Water
- medium/average; regular water until established, then moderate
- Bloom time
- mid-to-late spring; blooms later than star magnolia and saucer magnolia, which reduces fro
- Bloom color
- reddish-purple to wine-red outside, white to pale pink inside
- Growth rate
- slow to moderate, roughly 6-12 in/year
- Deer resistance
- moderate (occasionally browsed, not a preferred food source)
- Plant type
- deciduous shrub / small tree
- Part of the U.S. National Arboretum's 'Little Girl' magnolia series
- Blooms later than star and saucer magnolias, helping flowers dodge spring frosts
- Reddish-purple, tulip-shaped blooms with a light fragrance
- Compact, shrubby habit, typically 10-15 ft tall and wide
- Hardy in USDA zones 4-8
- Low-maintenance once established; minimal pruning required
- Not known to be toxic to pets or people
Growing guides
Core guideBetty Magnolia Care Guide: Sun, Soil, Water and Pruning Tips
Complete Betty Magnolia care guide with expert tips on sunlight, soil, watering, pruning, and troubleshooting for healthy flowering.
Core guideHow to Plant a Betty Magnolia Tree: Site, Timing and Steps
Step-by-step guide to planting Betty Magnolia: soil prep, site selection, timing, spacing, and essential first-season care.
Core guideHow Big Does Betty Magnolia Get? Size and Growth Rate
How big does Betty Magnolia get? Learn mature heights (10-15 ft), growth rates (6-12 in/year), spacing needs, and factors affecting this shr
Core guideBetty Magnolia Hardiness Zones: Where It Grows Best
Betty Magnolia grows in USDA zones 4-8. Learn where this hardy magnolia thrives, frost risks, and climate care tips by zone.
Core guideBuying a Betty Magnolia: Container Sizes and What to Look For
Learn what to look for when buying a Betty Magnolia, from container sizes to quality indicators. Find nurseries and get tips for selecting t
Plant specificBetty Magnolia vs Jane Magnolia: How to Tell Them Apart
Betty vs Jane Magnolia: side-by-side comparison of these Little Girl series hybrids. Learn bloom time, size, color, and which works best for
Core guideBetty Magnolia Sun Requirements: Full Sun vs Part Shade
Learn Betty Magnolia sun requirements and how much light your tree needs to flower well. Full sun vs part shade guide for home gardeners.
Core guideWatering Betty Magnolia: From New Planting to Mature Tree
Master Betty Magnolia watering: establish proper schedules for new plants, mature trees, drought signs, overwatering fixes, and seasonal adj
Core guideBest Soil for Betty Magnolia: Drainage, pH and Amendments
Learn how to prepare the best soil for Betty Magnolia. Detailed pH, drainage, and amendment guide for healthy growth.
Core guideHow and When to Prune Betty Magnolia the Right Way
Learn when and how to prune Betty Magnolia correctly. Timing and minimal cuts maximize blooms and branch structure.
Plant specificBetty Magnolia Bloom Time and Flower Color Explained
Learn when Betty Magnolia blooms (late April-May), its wine-red exterior and pale pink inner petals, and how to encourage flowers each sprin
Plant specificBetty Magnolia and Other Little Girl Magnolia Varieties Compared
Compare Betty Magnolia with other Little Girl series varieties. Discover bloom times, colors, and which cultivar suits your garden best.
Betty Magnolia questions
How big does Betty Magnolia get?
It typically matures to about 10-15 ft tall and wide, making it suitable for smaller landscapes than large saucer magnolias.
Does Betty Magnolia bloom more than once a year?
Its main bloom is in mid-to-late spring, though it can occasionally produce a few sporadic flowers later in summer.
Why choose Betty over a saucer magnolia?
Betty's later bloom time helps its flowers avoid the late-frost damage that often affects earlier-blooming magnolias, and its smaller size fits tighter spaces.
Is Betty Magnolia toxic to pets?
No, magnolias are not known to be toxic to dogs, cats, or people.
What soil does it need?
It prefers moist, well-drained, organically rich soil that is slightly acidic to neutral; it can struggle with chlorosis in very alkaline soil.