Cucumber Magnolia and Yellow Cucumber Magnolia are two native magnolia trees that are known for their sweet-smelling yellow flowers and cucumber-shaped fruit. Cucumber Magnolias can grow in cold climates as far north as Canada and are the tallest of the native magnolias. Yellow Cucumber Magnolias are native to warmer areas (PA to FL). Because these trees are native, all they need to thrive is rain.
- Full Sun, Part Sun
- Height depends on species
- Summer flowers
- Pollinator lifeline
What’s the difference between Cucumber Magnolia and Yellow Cucumber Magnolia?
You would think that it would only be color, but they have more differences than that. Each Cucumber Magnolia handles cold temperatures differently (a plant’s ability to handle frost and snow is called its hardiness.) Here’s how they’re different:
Cucumber Magnolia
MAGNOLIA ACUMINATA
- Super cold hardy: can be grown from Canada to FL (only magnolia native to Canada)
- Yellow-green flowers
- Tallest of the native magnolias: grows up to 100 feet
- Most widespread native magnolia
Yellow Cucumber Magnolia
MAGNOLIA ACUMINATA SUBSP. SUBCORDATA
- Doesn’t like cold: grows from PA to FL
- Yellow flowers
- Petite tree: tops out around 30 feet tall
- Native to a smaller area than the Cucumber
How to grow Cucumber Magnolias
Both species of Cucumber Magnolias like wetter areas. In nature, they are often found in or near swamps and bogs. If you’re planting in a non-wet area, be sure to give them water during dry periods, particularly during the first year when they are getting established.
Both Cucumber Magnolias like full sun to part sun. The only thing they don’t like is full shade. The more sun they get, the more leaves and flowers they will be able to produce.
What to plant with Cucumber Magnolias
There are so many great native plant options to plant with Cucumber Magnolias! Some great pairings include:
Where can you buy a Cucumber Magnolia?
Finding specific native plants like Cucumber Magnolias can be challenging, especially when visiting conventional plant nurseries. To make the search easier, we’ve put together four resources for native plants:
Where can I find seeds and plants?
Finding native plants can be challenging (we partly blame Marie Antoinette.) To make it easier, we’ve assembled four sourcing ideas.
Native Nursery List
100+ native nurseries makes finding one a breeze
Online Native Plant Sellers
We've included 100+ online resources to help
Society Plant Sales
Every state has a native plant society; find yours
Online Communities
Local Facebook groups are a great plant source
That concludes our love letter to Cucumber Magnolias! These beautiful native trees should be better known and found more easily in our gardens. No matter if you live in a warm climate in Florida or a snowy winter wonderland in Canada—there is a Cucumber Magnolia for you. Don’t forget to visit our Guide to Native Magnolias to meet the other magnolias of North America. Happy planting!
Sources
Sources
- USDA, Cucumbertree
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Cucumber Magnolia
