9 Different Types of Purple Flowering Magnolia Tree Varieties

Magnolia is typically connected with Southern Magnolia (M. grandiflora) due to its large size, leathery evergreen foliage, and creamy white flowers. Lovely Southern Magnolia, but have you seen a purple deciduous magnolia in March?

‘Ann’ is part of the National Arboretum's Little Girl series and a hybrid of M. lillifora ‘Nigra’ and M. stellata ‘Rosea’. It was bred to bloom later and is more cold-tolerant than its parents.

1 - Ann 

I'm not sure if this is pink or purple blossoming tree. I'll call it a blend and add it since it deserves mention.

2 – Black Tulip

This gorgeous cultivar is named for its cameo-like blossoms. This tree's tiny appearance belies its enormous reddish purple blossoms that are clean and white inside.

3 – Cameo

‘Judy’ is another Little Girls series plant designed to bloom later for flower durability. This deciduous type has bigger, pointed, dark green leaves that turn coppery-bronze in autumn.

4 – Judy

Big flowers grace Black Lily Magnolia ‘Nigra’, a charming tiny tree. This brilliant hedge or small, multi-stemmed tree with the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit hates bad soil.

5 – Nigra

Another purple-flowered liliiflora is ‘O’Neil’. It grows like a huge shrub, not a tree. This type dislikes urban pollutants and wet roots. This cultivar is attractive and low-maintenance.

6 – ‘O’Neil

One of the Little Girl series with the best cold tolerance is ‘Randy’. This cultivar was bred for cold hardiness and succeeded.

7 – Randy

Another Little Girl, Ricki, may show a pattern. In the 1950s, this superb hybrid line was created to avoid late season frost, which can ruin deciduous magnolias' flowering season.

8 – Ricki

Last in the Little Girl series, ‘Susan’ is hardy to zone 3. This girl received the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit. 

9 – Susan

Also See

8 Native Shrubs and Trees for Midwestern Fall Color