‘Bracken's Brown Beauty’ is a standout among Southern Magnolia cultivars with its incredibly dense, compact habit and remarkable cold hardiness. But the true stars of the show are the magnificent, lustrous dark green leaves with their striking, rusty brown undersides that make this species a must-have for all seasons. In late spring, the branches become adorned with creamy white, fragrant blooms that may be smaller in size than the straight species, but more than make up for it in their abundance. As fall approaches, the plentiful flowers give rise to ornamental pods bearing bright red fruits that add autumn allure and beckon to wildlife from miles around. After your resident backyard critters have their fill, bring a few pods indoors for festive winter décor and a reminder of the promise of spring.
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil; salt tolerant
Size: 20’ – 30’ tall; 15’ – 25’ wide
Zone: 5 - 9
Wildlife Value: Flowers attract various pollinators, especially pollinating beetles like soldier beetles, tumbling flower beetles, and flower longhorn beetles; fruits eaten by birds, squirrels, and other small mammals; provides shelter for various wildlife species
Photos: Beth Hunter, David Korbonits