Sweetbay Magnolia Magnolia virginiana

Sweetbay magnolias are a host tree for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Palamedes Swallowtail,  Sweetbay Silkmoth and Spicebush Swallowtail. In late spring,  they bear creamy white flowers with a sweet scent that merit savoring.  The flowers appear sporadically over a few weeks, prolonging the fragrance.

They thrive in moist to wet soil, unlike many other magnolias.  Sweetbay tolerates shade but prefers sun to part sun.  This multi-stemmed, vase shaped small tree can reach 20 feet or a bit more.  The dark, glossy leaves have a silvery underside.  In mild winters they leaves may remain on the tree but it is not reliably evergreen and will push fresh new leaves each spring.