Dr. Merrill Magnolia

• Height/Spread: 20–60' tall by 20–45' wide
• Habit/Form: Upright, rounded
• Hardiness Zone: 5–9
• Exposure: Full sunlight to partly shady
• Soil: Moist, well-drained

Ornamental value: Dr. Merrill Magnolia can take three to four years to bloom, but once it does, it grows pretty quickly with lush green leaves and white star-like petals that are beautifully contrasted with faint pink centers. Its prime bloom time is during March and April. Developed at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston, Dr. Merrill Magnolia was named after Dr. Elmer Drew Merrill, a botanist who was known for his research on florals in the Philippines. Dr. Merril Magnolia attracts early pollinators, is deer-resistant, and requires little maintenance.