Magnolias of the Wissahickon

News // July 09, 2026

by Susan Haidar, Environmental Education Planner, Wissahickon Environmental Center

Saucer Magnolia flower. Photo by Susan Haidar

One of the pleasures of early spring in Philadelphia is seeing the stunning pink and white blossoms of Magnolia trees in our gardens. These amazing trees have their origins in Asia—China, Southeast Asia, and Japan, and were imported into the United States through Europe in the 1800’s. In Europe and the U.S. many beautiful hybrids have been cultivated.

We have our own native magnolia species in North America, also with fabulous blooms. There are eight of them; only five are well-known. These trees bloom later than their Asian counterparts (May and June), and since they tend not to be planted as ornamentals, you may not be familiar with them. (A drawback of the Asian Magnolias is their early bloom time; the blossoms frequently wilt and die during northern spring freezes.)

Magnolia Grandiflora. Photo by Susan Haidar

One native North American tree is the Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), a beloved tree of the south that is cultivated in gardens of our area. This tree is an evergreen with creamy white flowers and is probably our best-known native. If planted in a sunny area, it can survive the harsh winters of Pennsylvania.

In the Wissahickon you can find four native Magnolias: Umbrella, Cucumber, Bigleaf, and Sweet-Bay. The Umbrella Magnolia (Magnolia tripetala) is found in great abundance in the park. I have seen large stands growing on the White Trail near the Mt. Airy Avenue entrance. We assume the tree was introduced to the park. The Cucumber Magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) and Bigleaf Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla) are found mainly in the Andorra section of the park, with occasional sightings in other areas. These trees are descendants of the plantings in the former Andorra Nursey. Sweet-Bay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) is found occasionally in the park and is now distributed by TreePhilly as a small yard tree for gardens.

Tulip tree flower/leaf. Photo by Susan Haidar

The Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is in the same family as magnolias. It is a dominant tree of our forest, and one of the largest trees in the East where it is common in our temperate forests.

These native magnolia trees, and many of the Asian ones, were propagated and sold by Andorra Nursey, which occupied the area of the park now called Andorra Natural Area for 75 years. This list is from the Nursey’s 1940 Catalog. Asian Magnolias are still found near the Tree House in Andorra.

Magnolia fruit in South America. Photo from Wikipedia

Magnolias are in the family Magnoliaceae. There are two genera in the family: Magnolia and Liriodendron (the Tulip Poplar trees). These trees have an ancient lineage; they are one of the earliest groups of flowering plants, evolving around 95 Mya in the Cretaceous period. Contemporary trees resemble the prehistoric species found in the fossil record. Magnolia trees are pollinated primarily by beetles! This is another clue to their ancient origins; bees evolved later than the Magnolia trees. The structure of the flower is simpler that later flower families. Petals and sepals are indistinguishable and are called “tepals.” The flowers are usually large and very beautiful. Flowers have both sexual parts. The fruits that develop are primarily red seeds in a cone-like structure. Birds are fond of the seeds.

Magnolia Trees in the Wissahickon

Cucumber Magnolia (Magnolia acuminata). This tree has the northern most range growing as far north as southern Ontario and is the most tolerant of cold. Its native range includes the Allegheny Plateau of western Pennsylvania. It tends not to grow in groves, but as single, large trees up to 100 ft. tall. It is an endangered species in Canada. Flowers are greenish-yellow and only 2-3 inches in diameter. They are thought to be the source of hybrid magnolias with yellow flowers. Its seed pod resembles a cucumber in shape. In Andorra several impressively large Cucumber Magnolias grew; only one is still alive and this year is showing stress in the upper leaves. You can also find a few smaller ones.

Umbrella Magnolia (Magnolia tripetala). Found from New York to Florida, but more common in the Southern Appalachian area. May have been introduced into Pennsylvania, and the ones in Philadelphia are assumed to be from cultivated plants. Its large leaves (12-24 in.) are whorled around the end of a branch. The large creamy, white flowers (6-10 in.) do not have a pleasant smell! It is a small tree often with crooked trunks, reaching heights of 20 to 40 ft. It prefers moist, shaded hillsides or ravines.

Its leaves are whorled around a central point, and both ends taper to points, unlike the Bigleaf.

Bigleaf Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla). This tree has the largest leaves and flowers of any native tree in North America! A leaf can be 24 to 30 inches long! The base of the leaf is shaped like an ear lobe, or the letter B, making it easy to identify. Its huge flower can be 9 inches in diameter. It is a medium sized tree, growing 30 to 50 ft. high. It is a threatened species in several southern states and considered a rare plant. Native to southern states, it requires rich, somewhat damp soils. We have at least 10 of these trees, some very small, growing in Andorra.

The whorled growth pattern is like the Umbrella Magnolia.  Note the ear-shaped lobe at the base of each leaf.  The leaves are double the size of the Umbrella Magnolia.

Note narrower leaves and flower about 3 to 4 inches in diameter.
Photo from Wikipedia, Awinch1001

Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana). A small tree or shrub. Prefers wet soil or swampy conditions. It is native to the Atlantic coastal plain with its range ending in northern NJ and the southernmost tip of SE Pennsylvania. It is deciduous in northern areas, evergreen in southern. The flowers have a beautiful, delicate scent.

Andorra Nurseries cultivated eight species of Asian magnolias. Of those, the Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangiana), lovingly known as “Grandma Maggie” can be seen next to the Tree House. It is the most widely planted garden magnolia and is a cross between two species Magnolia denudate or Yulan Magnolia (beautiful white flowers, native to China, planted at temples) and Magnolia liliiflora (brilliant pink flowers, native to China). Throughout the woods near the Tree House, you can also find the Kobus Magnolia (Magnolia Kobus), a closely related species to the very popular Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata), a tree from Japan with white, star shaped flowers.

I hope you will take some time to explore these truly fascinating trees within our Park!