Magnolia virginiana (Florida Bay Laurel)

Magnolia globosa x virginiana Porcelain Dove

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Magnolia virginiana

Botanical name: Magnolia virginiana

Common names: Florida Bay Laurel, Sweet Bay

Family: Magnoliaceae

Origin: Southern US

USDA Zone: 6-10

Cold tolerance: 0°F

Plant type: Spice or herb

Plant form: Small tree

Mature height: 10-20 ft

Sun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor

Cold tolerance: Tolerates light freezing to about 30°F for short periods (mature plants). Young plants must be protected.

Watering: Keep soil moist

Suitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing

Foliage color: Ornamental foliage

Fragrance: Fragrant; perfume plant

Flood tolerance: High

Ethnomedical: Ethnomedical plant, traditionally used in folk or indigenous medicine

Sweet Bay can be found in the wild in Florida bay heads, swamps and stream banks. Leaves are very fine for flavoring broths and sauces. Fresh off the tree, the flavor is unique and fun to use. If you have a Florida Sweet Bay, your cooking will have flavors folks outside Florida can never hope to duplicate. Florida Bay Laurel likes moist, acid soils. If you use Bay Laurel in your landscape, be sure plenty of water is available. If you have a moist spot on your land, plant this tree. You will also be rewarded by the attractive white delicately fragrant flowers. No bugs or other pests. Fertilize once or twice a year with an acid fertilizer.

See Article about this tree: A Native Virgin - Sweetbay Vanilla Magnolia

See Plants with scents as heady as incense: Enchanted Magnolias - Joy in your life...