Bracken’s Brown Beauty grows best in full sun to partial shade

Humans move and Americans move more than most, with almost one of four Americans moving in the past five years. Many a lifelong friend is in our lives because they moved from the Old South. One movement, called The Great Migration, was when six million African-Americans fled poverty and repression, and moved from the rural Southern United States to the cities in the Northeast, Midwest, and West between 1916 and 1970. They brought their culture, their food, and their plants.

And one of the plants of the old south that came north was one of the most cold-hardy southern magnolias Bracken's Brown Beauty (Magnolia grandiflora Bracken's Brown Beauty). It is hardy to USDA zones 5-9.

The large, leathery, glossy, evergreen leaves are dark green on top with beautiful copper brown underneath. The huge six- to eight-inch creamy white cup-shaped flowers are super fragrant and stay fresh on the tree from late spring well into summer. The pyramid shaped tree grows to 35 feet tall and only 15 to 20 feet wide, so fits into almost any landscape.

The huge dark green, oval-shaped leaves are thick and waxy with a leathery texture. Magnolia bark on young trees is smooth grey to brown colored; as the plant ages, bark becomes rough and scaly.

The large, waxy magnolia flowers of Bracken's Brown Beauty magnolia have a strong, yet pleasant fragrance with a hint of lemon. Even when not in bloom Bracken's Brown Beauty magnolias are attractive, and make an exceptional accent or specimen tree.

Magnolia is an ancient genus of plants, the first magnolias appearing before bees were around, so the flowers evolved to encourage pollination by beetles. Magnolia blossoms do not produce nectar, instead luring beetles with huge amounts of high protein pollen.

Because they have both male and female parts, Magnolia flowers are protogynous, meaning the flowers first open exposing only the female parts of the flower. Because the male and female parts of the flower are never open at the same time, it is more likely to cross pollinate rather than self pollinate, which increases the gene pool. After cross pollination, the flowers develop into reddish brown cone-like fruits that hold the kidney-shaped seeds. The seeds ripen in autumn and they are favorite food of song birds.

The Bracken’s Brown Beauty grows best in full sun to partial shade where it gets at least six hours of sunlight every day. Plant it in rich well drained soil that is neutral to slightly acidic. Do not add fertilizer, compost or any kind of amendment to the planting hole because you want the roots to spread out in search of nutrients and water. Dig the planting hole as deep and twice as wide as the nursery pot.

You may have to prune any roots if they are growing in a circle inside of the pot.

Build up a mounded hill of soil in the middle of the planting hole and set the root crown on top of this mounded soil so that the top of the crown will be at ground level. Spread out the side roots over the mounded soil and gently backfill the hole. When you have the hole filled halfway with soil, water generously to settle the soil. After the water has drained, adjust the tree so it stands straight and tamp the soil down so there are no air pockets.

Make a small dam or embankment around the planting hole so water has time to seep into the roots. You can mulch with up to six inches of straw, leaves, or loose grass clippings to hold in soil moisture.

While your tree is getting established give it at least one inch of water each week. After the first year your magnolia will easily survive dry periods. There is no need to fertilize a newly-planted tree during the first year.

For the first three years after planting, if you want you can feed a balanced fertilizer every two months while the tree is vigorously growing. Most magnolias do well without any additional fertilizer.

Plant Bracken's Brown Beauty Magnolia, a tree of the old south, and reaffirm your friendships from the south. A magnolia can live to over 100 years old, which is fitting because there is nothing like an old friend.