Teddy Bear® Southern Magnolia

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

16-20 Feet

Mature Spread

10-12 Feet

Growing Zones

7 to 9

Teddy Bear® Southern Magnolia brings the look and fragrance of a classic southern magnolia in a much narrower, more manageable form. It grows with a dense upright habit, spreading 10-12 feet wide. Glossy deep green leaves, and rich cinnamon-brown undersides look tailored year-round. Large white flowers open through summer into fall, adding the familiar sweet scent people want from a magnolia. We often recommend this one for smaller properties where a broad magnolia would feel oversized but a standard evergreen tree would look too plain.

Magnolia grandiflora 'Southern Charm' keeps a clean pyramidal outline, which makes it useful as a specimen, a refined privacy screen, or a tall anchor near patios and entry views. It is a selected form of a North American native species, bred for a tighter habit and better fit in compact landscapes. The leathery foliage stands up well through heat, coastal exposure, and brief dry periods once established. Set it where the brown-backed leaves can catch the light, or plant several in a row to frame a boundary without building a heavy wall of green.

Teddy Bear® Southern Magnolia Care

Plant Teddy Bear® Southern Magnolia in full sun in deep, well-drained soil with an acidic pH for the best growth and flowering. It adapts to average garden soil, but richer soil with organic matter helps it settle in faster and hold better leaf color. Avoid low spots that stay saturated after rain, especially in winter.

Water deeply and regularly during the first few growing seasons, then switch to thorough soakings when the soil turns dry a few inches down. Once established, this magnolia handles short dry spells, but it looks fuller and flowers better with even moisture during summer. Feed in early spring before new growth starts with a slow-release fertilizer suited to trees growing in acidic soil.

Pruning is usually light since the plant keeps a naturally tidy outline, so focus on removing dead wood or rubbing branches in late winter. You can shape it as a small tree or allow lower limbs to remain for a denser screen, but avoid hard cuts that leave gaps in the form. In colder parts of zone 7, a mulch layer over the root zone helps young plants through winter, especially in exposed sites with drying wind.

Teddy Bear® Southern Magnolia Spacing

Space Teddy Bear® Southern Magnolia about 8 to 10 feet apart for a full screen over time, or give a single specimen at least 10 to 12 feet of width so the lower branches can develop properly. For container growing, start with a pot at least 24 inches wide and deep, using a substantial mix that drains well but does not dry too fast.

When designing in the landscape, pair Teddy Bear® Southern Magnolia with gardenia, dianthus, and liriope for a planting that echoes its glossy foliage and white flowers. In large mixed containers, underplant it with vinca and alyssum to soften the rim and brighten the base without competing with the tree’s bold leaves.

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