Magnolia 'Butterflies'
Best flowering specimen for gardeners seeking vibrant spring color and versatility.
The Magnolia 'Butterflies' is a striking specimen tree, celebrated for its large, yellow, tulip-shaped blooms that emit a faint lemon scent. These vibrant flowers appear in early spring before the leaves emerge, creating a spectacular display. The tree features glossy dark green foliage throughout the summer, providing a beautiful backdrop for other plants. It can be grown as a multi-stemmed shrub or a single-trunk tree, offering versatility in landscape design. This magnolia variety is relatively easy to care for, adaptable to various soil conditions, and thrives in full sun to partial shade.
$59.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
512
/ 1251
#512 in Trees
Price vs Category Average
-44%
Below average
Bloom Color
Creamy yellow; lemon scent
/ Creamy yellow; lemon scent
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking unique, vibrant color palettes
- Homeowners wanting high-impact early spring curb appeal
- Urban dwellers with limited planting space
Who should skip it
- Residents in regions prone to unpredictable late spring freezes
- Gardeners with heavy clay or alkaline soil conditions
- Impatient landscapers desiring instant, full-grown results
Performance breakdown
Visual Impact
Striking yellow blooms create a high-contrast focal point in early spring.
Maintenance Effort
Requires minimal pruning and adapts easily to diverse soil environments.
Seasonal Versatility
Glossy summer foliage and bronze fall tones provide year-round garden interest.
Fragrance Profile
Subtle lemon notes offer a pleasant but understated sensory experience.
Landscape Adaptability
Flexible growth habit suits both compact urban spaces and expansive gardens.
Pollinator Appeal
Early spring flowering cycle provides a vital nectar source for pollinators.
Key Specs
Bloom Color
Creamy yellow; lemon scent
Bloom Period
Early spring
Fall Color
Bronze, copper
Foliage Color
Dark green
Genus & Species
Magnolia x acuminata 'Butterflies'
Growth Rate
Slow-Medium
Mature Height
15 to 20 ft.
Mature Spread
10 to 15 ft.
Features
- Unique large yellow tulip-shaped blooms
- Delicate lemon scent
- Blooms appear before leaves in early spring
- Glossy dark green foliage provides summer interest
- Can be grown as a multi-stemmed shrub or single-trunk tree
- Adaptable to many soil conditions
- Requires little pruning
- Attractive to pollinators
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of the Magnolia 'Butterflies' from New Blooms Nursery. Many highlight receiving robust, healthy plants that are well packaged and arrive in excellent condition, ready to thrive. The vibrant yellow blooms and strong growth after planting frequently exceed expectations, delivering significant aesthetic value to gardens. Buyers feel they receive great value for their investment, appreciating the plant's vigor and the beauty it adds to their landscape. This magnolia is celebrated for its reliable performance and stunning visual appeal.
Know before you buy
No, it is considered a relatively low-maintenance tree. It requires very little pruning and is adaptable to a variety of soil conditions once established.
You can choose either form. It is versatile enough to be trained as a single-trunk tree or allowed to grow as a multi-stemmed shrub depending on your preference for your landscape.
At maturity, this tree typically reaches a height of 15 to 20 feet with a spread of 10 to 15 feet. Ensure you plant it in a location that allows for this width to avoid overcrowding.
No, the blooms appear in early spring before the leaves emerge. Once the flowering period concludes, the tree provides interest through its glossy dark green foliage and eventually transitions to bronze and copper tones in the fall.
Yes, the Magnolia 'Butterflies' is adaptable and thrives in both full sun and partial shade environments.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$60