Magnolias are magnificent flowering trees that bloom in the spring. They feature flowers in a

variety of colors, including white, pink, red, purple, and yellow. Magnolias are diverse in their leaf shape,

plant form, and size.

Here at O’Brien’s we offer many interesting Magnolias. They also hold important places in our

display gardens. Some bloom so early they are often susceptible to late spring frosts, nobody finds the

frosted brown flowers hanging like dirty brown socks attractive!

The yellow Magnolias bloom a little later in the spring, so therefore, they don’t get that frost

treatment as often. Hybridizers have introduced many yellow cultivars, yet of our two favorites are

Magnolia x ‘Butterflies’ and M. x ‘Elizabeth’. Both selections are large growing trees, so they need space.

Butterflies features butter-yellow flowers, whereas Elizabeth has lemon-yellow flowers. It amazes us,

how every spring, many neighbors who drive by the nursery, stop in to ask about our yellow flowering

Magnolias!

Magnolia x ‘Butterflies’

Magnolia x ‘Elizabeth’

Magnolia sieboldii grows into a small tree we are quite fond of. The Oyama Magnolia or Korean

Mountain Magnolia has pendulous, cupped white flowers, that are best observed from below. The

flowers open in early summer and can often be lost amongst the foliage.