Teddy Bear Dwarf Southern Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora ‘Teddy Bear’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Tree

Height at Maturity: 20-25′

Width at Maturity: 10-14′

Spacing: 7-8′ for privacy screen; 16’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Conical, Dense, Upright

Flower Color: White

Flower Size: Large, 8″

Flowering Period: May to Frost!

Flower Type: Single, 8″ wide!

Fragrant Flowers: Yes – extremely fragrant!

Foliage Color: Dark Green, Bronze-Brown undersides

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun, Morning Shade with Evening Sun

Water Needs: Average, Low when established

Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist

Soil pH: 4.5 – 7.5 (Acid to Slightly Alkaline)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer, Disease, Drought, Heat, Humidity, Insect

Description

Love the evergreen Southern Magnolias but don’t have the room for a 50 feet tree? Unlike its larger cousins, ‘Teddy Bear’ is the best of the dwarfs in the family; maturing to a height of only 20-25 feet and a width of about 10-14 feet, which makes it a good fit when there’s limited space to work with.

There are several other differences between Teddy Bear Magnolia and its larger cousins. Teddy Bear is much more compact and dense than other Southern Magnolia varieties. Its upright narrower form is densely covered with thicker and darker green oval-shaped leaves that are glossy on top with fuzzy orange-bronze undersides. The lateral branches grow more upward and much stronger than other varieties and the blooming period is much longer; flowering May through October. The beautiful and fragrant white flowers are 8 inches across and fill the the garden with the delightful, lemon-scented aroma we love from southern magnolias. A truly magnificent specimen in the landscape!

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 20 to 25 feet tall and 10 to 14 feet wide, Teddy Bear Magnolia is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings, in evergreen privacy screen plantings, or as a corner plant or espalier (trained to grow flat against a window) in home foundation plantings. Can also be grown in large pots, planters and other containers of 18 inches or more in rim diameter. A fine addition to fragrance gardens, white theme gardens, bird, wildlife, cut flower and cottage gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 7 to 8 feet apart for privacy screens; 16 feet or more apart for space between trees

See: Privacy Screen Planting Tips & Instructions

Growing Preferences

Teddy Bear Magnolia is very easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained soil of average fertility, preferring a soil that is rich in organic matter. It grows well in full sun or part shade. At least 4 hours of direct sunlight or all-day filtered sun is suggested.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, prune, fertilize and water Southern Magnolia trees.

How To Plant & Care For Southern Magnolia Trees

Privacy Screen Design Planting Tips & Instructions

Plant Long & Prosper!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us

My teddy bear magnolia got to me super quick, and was in pristine condition! Wilson Bro’s have developed their own boxed, to ensure your plants arrive in great shape, which I super appreciate. Can’t wait for my tree to grow :)———————————————————————-Thanks for the photo and the kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

We ordered a 3 foot Teddy Bear Southern Magnolia from Wilson Bros, We were a little concerned about ordering plants on-line, having never done so before, but the package arrived somewhat earlier than was initially promised. The packing was impeccable, very solidly put together – I was concerned that there was no “this end up” on the box, but the way it was packed meant that it really wasn’t necessary. The tree itself was in great shape, there was maybe one leaf that was dead, and it’s now planted and seems to be doing well. Early days and all that, but at this point if Teddy doesn’t flourish, it’s on us and not the vendor.————————————————Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Magnolia tree arrived much sooner than expected in great condition. The size was as marketed and it was quite full. Would definitely recommend the tree and Wilson Bros.—————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy your purchase for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I fell in love with some Magnolias I saw as I was driving to my house. I’m unaware if they were Teddy Magnolias but they were a lot fuller, though much smaller than Magnolia’s I had usually seen. I ran across Teddy Magnolia’s on this site and ended up buying 2. Both have done so well! I a very pleased with my purchase and so happy to have tried out.. They have been in ground for 8 & 6 months respectively; both thriving with new growth. For reference, I purchased both heights of 7 gallon.————————————————-Thanks for the photos. Thanks for the kind words and awesome review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The tree arrived very well packaged and with great instructions on how to safely it get out of the box and how to plant. The Teddy Bear is in the ground and is already sprouting brand new deep green leaves. Fast seamless delivery, great nursery.——————————————————Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Having always been disappointed with mail order plants I never the less ordered the teddy bear magnolia because of local unavailability.
When I received the package I was dumbfounded when I opened the carton because the plant was so lush and dense I thought perhaps I had mistakenly received an artificial tree. Nope it was real and gorgeous. Exceeded my expectations. So now I can order with confidence from Wilson Brothers.——————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

This tree had been unavailable locally and online for some time. I was on a wait list with Wilson Bros Gardens and I appreciated the notification when they were back in stock.
Wilson Bros has exceptional customer service and will reply promptly to your emails.
Arrived in fantastic condition and packaged so carefully. 7-gallon (4-5′ tall) was a nice option to the 6-8″ trees I had been looking at locally and that were priced twice as much. Plus I would have had to rent a truck to get them home. Free shipping from Wilson Bros Gardens made it an easy decision. I appreciate all of the planting and care instructions that Wilson Bros Gardens makes available online. You’re set up for success buying from here.———————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG