Louisiana gardeners are always looking for attractive trees for the landscape. The sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) is an excellent native tree that is not nearly as well known as it should be.
Chosen as a Louisiana Super Plant selection last fall, this variety is the evergreen type, Magnolia virginiana var. australis, which retains its leaves through winter.
Speaking of the leaves – the foliage of the sweetbay magnolia is especially beautiful. Smaller and lighter green than the Southern magnolia and without the glossy shine, sweetbay foliage is bright silver on the reverse. When the wind catches the canopy and flips up the leaves, the ripples of silver are a delight to the eye.
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