We took a family trip south through the rural Virginia countryside last weekend and passed yard after yard with Southern Magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora, trees towering over the ranch houses.
This is not a tree for the faint-of-heart. But it is one for bees and other pollinators. Southern Magnolia blossoms have the largest nectaries–pools of nectar–and smell so sweet, a signal to pollinators that they are open for business!
Bees collect both the sweet-scented nectar and the pollen, and so do many other insects. It’s native to the southeast U. S., but is widely planted in the warmer states. It’s slow growing in a full sun spot and takes up a good bit of room both sideways and up–it grows to 120 feet tall. It will flower better in full sun. The shiny, thick leaves are evergreen and the seed pods are interesting, too.
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This post is part of series designed to raise awareness about trees–and other woody plants–that help bees. My interest in trees, bees and nature carries over to my fantasy novels.
In my newest release, Guardian of the Pines, Cor loves trees and is a trained beekeeper with an unusual gift of magic for working with both. Learn more and read and excerpt here. This YA fantasy just released on April 26th!
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