Butterflies Magnolia (Magnolia 'Butterflies') | Yellow Flowering Tree

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Butterflies Magnolia

Magnolia 'Butterflies'

A stunning hybrid magnolia with large, fragrant, cup-shaped yellow flowers and striking red stamens, blooming in spring before the leaves.

$329.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Magnolia 'Butterflies' is a stunning, award-winning hybrid magnolia prized for its abundance of large, cup-shaped, bright yellow flowers with contrasting red stamens. This small, pyramidal deciduous tree is one of the best yellow-flowered magnolias, producing an unforgettable spring display when its fragrant blooms appear on the bare branches before the leaves emerge. Its broad, medium green leaves follow the flowers, and its cone-like fruits mature in late summer, attracting birds. With its compact size, upright habit, and exceptional beauty, it is an outstanding choice as a specimen tree, focal point, or accent in small to medium gardens.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage & Flowers: Broad, medium green leaves; large, cup-shaped, bright yellow flowers with red stamens, blooming in spring before the leaves emerge; fragrant; followed by cone-like fruits that attract birds.
Mature Height: 15-35 ft.
Mature Spread: 10-15 ft.
Growth Rate: Moderate.
Hardiness Zones: USDA 4-9; Sunset 3B-9, 14-24.
Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade.
Core Benefits: Spectacular yellow spring blooms, fragrant flowers, attractive red stamens, compact pyramidal habit, attracts birds.
Best Uses: Specimen tree, focal point, small gardens, mixed borders, woodland gardens, accent planting.

Q: How large does Butterflies Magnolia get?
A: It is a small to medium-sized tree, typically reaching 15-35 feet in height and 10-15 feet in spread at maturity, with a pyramidal habit.

Q: When does it bloom?
A: It blooms in spring, producing large, cup-shaped, bright yellow flowers with red stamens on the bare branches before the leaves emerge.

Q: Are the flowers fragrant?
A: Yes, the flowers are fragrant, adding a delightful sensory element to the spring garden.

Q: Does it attract birds?
A: Yes, the cone-like fruits that follow the flowers mature in late summer and are attractive to birds.

Q: How much sun does it need?
A: It performs best in full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, protection from harsh afternoon sun is beneficial to prevent leaf scorch and keep the flowers looking their best.