Everywhere we’ve lived, I’ve planted a magnolia tree. They’ve done well everywhere except Texas. It’s too dry and the soil is too alkaline but that doesn’t mean I’m not babying that tree and hoping it will grow. Sometimes you need to know when to hold ’em and when to fold em’ so at some point I may give up but for now, I pour all my whey around it, try to water it at least every other day but so far, not much growth.
This is the tree we planted in MO in about 2009. It was a tiny little sprig when we planted it and this photo was taken by the realtor when we put the house up for sale in 2011.
Magnolia
A bit over 6 years later and this is what it looks like today.
Magnolia
Oh, how I wish they would grow like that in Texas!
Addie and I drove by the house again today and she said if I would move back to that house, she would spend the night with me. Vince . . are you listening? 🙂
Carol says
I planted a white magnolia as a seedling in 95 and it’s huge and I’m not that far from where you live. I’m not a good judge of height but it’s at least 30′ I would guess. Blooms are incredible. We don’t do anything special. I bet yours will do great with more time. I think I did water it very often first year, but after that, it gets what the sprinkler system gives it with our rain which can be very sparse. Give it another 10 years! This particular tree was labeled as a miniature/dwarf, Little Gem I think, but it quickly outgrew the 5′ estimated height. Since then I have read that this variety didn’t stay true. No kidding.
Libby in TN says
My mother nursed a one-gallon magnolia she planted in the 50s in Middle TN. It’s now twice as tall as the house and takes up about 1/4 of the front yard.
Carolyn in Texas says
They will grow like that in East Texas.
Sherrill says
They grow like that in DFW area as well as I’ve seen many of them around. Maybe u just moved to that one little area where they won’t grow! ? Sounds like you’re havin’ fun!! Poor Vince.
Judy Laquidara says
Yes, this is an area where they don’t do well. In fact, they’re pretty hard to find because they do so poorly that the nurseries don’t even sell them. By the time I get home, Vince will probably take my keys and never let me leave again. 🙂