Magnolia grandiflora 'Bracken's Brown Beauty' is a compact Southern Magnolia cultivar prized for its lustrous dark green leaves with rich brown undersides. Its large creamy white fragrant flowers bloom in summer and sporadically through the season.
Height & Spread: 20 - 30 ft x 15 - 25 ft
Bloom Time: Late spring to summer
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Soil Preference: Rich, well drained, slightly acidic soils
Watering Needs: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture, especially when young
Deer Resistance: Generally resistant once established
Native Status
Magnolia grandiflora is native to the southeastern United States. 'Bracken’s Brown Beauty' is a cultivated selection known for its cold tolerance and compact habit.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Birds
- Seeds are eaten by songbirds such as Northern Flickers, Mockingbirds, and Carolina Wrens.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 15 - 20 ft apart for screening or use singly as a feature tree.
Landscape Placement
- Excellent for formal landscapes, evergreen privacy screens, or focal points near patios and entryways. Withstands urban conditions and adapts well to various soil types.
Companion Plants
- Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea) - Offers bold blooms and texture beneath the magnolia canopy.
- Chionanthus virginicus (Fringe Tree) - Adds softness and contrast with spring blooms and open branching habit.
- Rhododendron 'Nova Zembla' - Pairs well in part shade, providing broadleaf evergreen structure and spring flowers.
- Ilex glabra 'Inkberry Holly' - Offers dark foliage and winter berries that complement magnolia’s formal aesthetic.
- Camellia sasanqua - Adds evergreen interest and overlapping bloom season for seasonal continuity.