Magnolia Bracken’s Brown Beauty

Magnolia grandiflora ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’

Bracken’s Brown Beauty has earned a dominant status among Magnolia grandiflora cultivars. Bracken is a proven performer that has stood the test of time.

Several unique qualities and attributes are responsible for the popularity of this southern magnolia. Bracken’s proven hardiness has taken the southern magnolia to areas beyond what was previously considered prudent for a southern magnolia. Horticopia® lists the hardiness range for Bracken’s Brown Beauty as 5B to 10A. This is the widest hardiness range given to any southern magnolia cultivar listed within Horticopia.

From youth to maturity, Bracken is characterized by upright multiple branching with dense and lustrous dark green foliage on top and stunning soft brown pubescence below. The fullness of form is self-perpetuated by its growth habit of multiple branching breaks from each spent flower, making it one of the fullest magnolia cultivars available. The natural form is slightly pyramidal to upright oval. The unique growth habit of this superior selection lends itself to great versatility of use in the landscape.

Whether used in screen plantings, garden specimen or street plantings, Mr. Ray Bracken’s Bracken’s Brown Beauty will make you stop and admire its beauty. It is truly a deserving dominant cultivar selection for now and many years to come.

Ornamental Characteristics:

Native Origin:
North America

Common Names:
Bracken, Bracken’s Brown Beauty

Recognition:
Gold Medal
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society 2003

Description:
Hardy Range: 5B to 10A
Mature Height: 30’ to 50’
Mature Spread: 15’ to 30’
Growth Rate: 15 to 20 years to maturity
Form: slightly pyramidal to upright oval
Persistence: evergreen

Ornamental Characteristics:
This compact magnolia variety boasts dense, lustrous, dark green foliage with a leathery texture and velvety brown undersides. This evergreen produces large white flowers with rounded petals in late spring, which give way to dark brown ornamental cones bearing bright red seeds in summer.

Environment:
Soil: well-drained, slightly acidic
Salt: medium
Exposure: partial sun to full sun