Due to Magnolia's large leaves and sprawling branches, it casts diffused light and creates a perfect spot for certain low-growing flowering shrubs. In this article, I am sharing a list of flowering shrubs that you can easily grow under a Magnolia Tree.
Magnolia trees have shallow roots, so the plants beneath them need to complement their growth pattern without competing for resources.
As you are reading this article, I am sure you want to utilize the beneath area of a magnolia tree, which is really an impressive decision.
As your shrubs are going to get partial sunlight, I am considering the below shrubs to be your best fit.
List of Flowering Shrubs to plant under Magnolia
| Shrub Name | Height/Spread | Maintenance Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Azalea (Dwarf Varieties) | 2-3 feet tall / 2-3 feet wide | Moderate |
| Hydrangea macrophylla 'Pia' | 2-3 feet tall / 2-3 feet wide | Moderate |
| Daphne ‘Carol Mackie’ | 2-3 feet tall / 2-3 feet wide | Moderate |
| Spiraea japonica ‘Little Princess’ | 2 feet tall / 2-3 feet wide | Low |
| Heuchera (Coral Bells) | 1-2 feet tall / 1-2 feet wide | Low |
| Boxwood 'Winter Gem' | 2-3 feet tall / 2-3 feet wide | Low |
| Japanese Skimmia (Skimmia japonica) | 2-3 feet tall / 2-3 feet wide | Moderate |
| Mountain Laurel 'Elf' | 3 feet tall / 3 feet wide | Moderate |
| Sweetbox (Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis) | 1-2 feet tall / 2-3 feet wide | Low |
| Japanese Pieris 'Cavatine' | 2-3 feet tall / 3 feet wide | Moderate |
| Lavender 'Munstead' | 1-2 feet tall / 1-2 feet wide | Low |
| Blue Star Juniper | 2 feet tall / 2-3 feet wide | Low |
| Rhododendron 'Ramapo' | 2 feet tall / 2-3 feet wide | Moderate |
| Deutzia gracilis 'Nikko' | 2-3 feet tall / 2-3 feet wide | Low |
| Euonymus 'Emerald Gaiety' | 2-3 feet tall / 3 feet wide | Low |
You can expect beautiful flowers in the summer and spring from these flowering shrubs.
Note: If you are choosing Azalea then make sure you are going for the dwarf varieties, like Rhododendron ‘Poukhanense’.
If you are facing difficulty in growing Hydrangea due to living in Florida, you can choose Dombeya which is a tropical variant of that. I am only considering this shrub as we are going to plant in a partially shady place.
I personally like the first 5 shrubs in this list. But the choice varies from person to person.
Caring tips for the shrubs and Magnolia at the same time
You need to take a bit of care if you are growing shrubs under a Magnolia, as the tree’s shallow roots can be sensitive to disturbance. Based on my experience I am giving you a few tips that can be helpful to you:
- Mulch Carefully: Provide a layer of mulch. It will help retain moisture and protect both the tree’s and shrubs’ roots. Be mindful not to pile mulch against the trunk of the magnolia.
- Watering: Magnolia trees create dry spots beneath their canopy. Make sure the shrubs you choose are getting enough water, especially during the first few months as they establish.
- Soil: Magnolia likes slightly acidic soil and in my list, there are a lot of shrubs that do like the same. ( I am talking about azaleas and hydrangeas ). Test your soil to see if any actions are needed from your end.
