Genie magnolia is a hybrid in the Magnolia family (Magnoliaceae). Following many years of breeding Magnolia × soulangeana (itself a hybrid) and Magnolia lililflora , 'Genie' was selected. A compact, medium-sized tree with a narrow habit makes it an ideal choice for settings where space is limited. Trees will produce flowers at a relatively young age compared to other varieties of magnolias. Blooms adorn this beauty in mid-spring before the tree leafs out with large purplish-red fragrant flowers. With sufficient moisture, it can continue to bloom into summer. It can be grown in a variety of soils but will flourish when located in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic, and organically rich soil. Protection from strong winds is also a benefit. Pruning to maintain its shapely, pyramidal form should be completed in the summer months when in full leaf. Like other deciduous magnolias, the best time to plant is when the tree is dormant. In warmer climates, late fall into winter is ideal, while in colder climates, early spring works best. Make sure your young specimen receives adequate water as well as a layer of mulch to help retain the moisture. Use this small flowering tree as a foundation plant or specimen. It will attract butterflies for your cottage garden and also provide some winter interest. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Root rot, coral spot, honey fungus and scale insects can damage this plant. More information on Magnolia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheCotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple'Magnolia 'Jane'Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 13 ft. 0 in. | Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Pyramidal
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Showy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Broad elloptica; green leaves emerge after the spring blooms and turn coppery-bronze or golden-yellow in the fall. The spring foliage emerges dark maroon.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
> 6 inches
Flower detail
The black-red buds open into 6 inch showy maroon-purple flowers. May repeat bloom in summer