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Flower profile

Magnolia

Quick facts

Botanical name: Magnolia grandiflora. In SAF's language of flowers, magnolia means dignity.

Magnolia at a glance

Meaning
dignity
Colors
  • Creamy white
Season
Flowers late spring (May-June); foliage sold year-round, especially at the holidays.
Special care
Foliage: re-cut woody stems and keep in water; leaves also dry well. Blooms: handle gently, petals bruise brown; float or use the same day.
Size
A grand evergreen tree with leathery leaves - glossy green on top, rusty brown beneath - and huge creamy white, lemon-scented flowers 8 to 12 inches across
Also called
Southern magnolia, Bull bay

About magnolias

A grand evergreen tree with leathery leaves - glossy green on top, rusty brown beneath - and huge creamy white, lemon-scented flowers 8 to 12 inches across. Florists use the foliage year-round and the blooms briefly.

How to make magnolias last

  1. Keep them cool until they are in water. Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them into a flower food solution.
  2. Fill a clean vase with water and flower food. Use a clean, deep vase and add the flower food from your florist, following the mixing directions on the packet.
  3. Remove leaves below the waterline. Leaves in water promote bacterial growth that can limit water uptake by the flower.
  4. Re-cut the stems. Remove one to two inches with a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems, then place the flowers straight into the vase.
  5. For magnolias. Foliage: re-cut woody stems and keep in water; leaves also dry well. Blooms: handle gently, petals bruise brown; float or use the same day.
  6. Keep them in a cool spot. 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans.

Care steps from SAF’s flower care tips. More flower care tips →

Questions about magnolias

What does the magnolia mean?

In the traditional language of flowers, the magnolia stands for "dignity".

What colors do magnolias come in?

Magnolias come in creamy white.

How do you care for magnolias?

Keep magnolias cool until they are in water, use a clean vase with flower food, remove any leaves below the waterline, re-cut the stems by one to two inches and keep the vase at 65 to 72 degrees, away from direct sunlight and vents. For magnolias: Foliage: re-cut woody stems and keep in water; leaves also dry well. Blooms: handle gently, petals bruise brown; float or use the same day.

Where can I buy magnolias?

From a local SAF member florist. Enter the recipient's ZIP code on this page to find florists near them.

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