Magnolia grandiflora 'Victoria’

Magnolia grandiflora 'Victoria': Lemon-Scented Blooms with Rusty-Red Velvet Leaves

Magnolia grandiflora 'Victoria' brings classic Southern magnolia elegance to the landscape with large, lemon-scented white flowers tucked among rich evergreen foliage. The leaves are glossy on top, but the real show is underneath, where each leaf reveals a velvety, rusty-red underside that adds depth and warmth year-round. With a dense, well-furnished habit, it looks full and intentional in every season, offering both fragrance and evergreen structure in one standout tree.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 25’
• Spread: 15’
• Flower Colour: White
• Flowering Period: Late spring to early summer
• Foliage: Evergreen leaves, shiny on top with a velvety rusty-red underside
• Sunlight Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter

Uses and Benefits: An excellent choice as a specimen tree near patios, entrances, or along prominent sightlines where the fragrance and foliage can be enjoyed up close. Its dense habit makes it especially useful for adding evergreen screening and year-round structure without needing a large canopy spread. The rusty undersides add a subtle, sophisticated colour note that pairs beautifully with dark evergreens, stonework, and warm-toned plantings.

Care Instructions: Water regularly during establishment and keep soil evenly moist through dry periods, especially in summer. Mulch helps conserve moisture and protects roots from temperature swings. Prune lightly only as needed to refine shape, ideally after flowering, and avoid heavy pruning which can reduce bloom. Choose a sheltered site out of harsh winter wind to keep the foliage looking its best, and give it room to develop its naturally dense form.

History: Magnolia grandiflora is treasured for its evergreen foliage and richly scented blooms. 'Victoria' is valued for combining large lemon-scented flowers with distinctive leaves that are glossy above and velvety, rusty-red beneath, creating an especially handsome, dense evergreen presence in the landscape.

Final Thoughts: If you want a magnolia that delivers fragrance, evergreen structure, and beautiful leaf colour in every season, Victoria offers a refined, year-round statement that feels both classic and distinctive.