Jane Vs Ann Magnolia Tree: How To Decide Which Is Best For Your Yard

When it comes to a big, beautiful family, the flowering trees known as Magnoliaceae number in the hundreds. It's not all about white when it comes to blooms, though; many magnolia trees have beautiful pink and purple blooms including the Jane magnolia (Magnolia 'Jane') and the Ann magnolia (Magnolia 'Ann'). When choosing the best of the two for your yard, it can come down to your landscaping goals and how much space you have for growing them since 'Jane' has the potential to get bigger than 'Ann.'

As it turns out, 'Jane' and 'Ann' look a lot alike since they are both part of the "girl" magnolia hybrid cultivars. They're known to be late bloomers, putting on flowers sometime between the middle of April and the early days of May so the risk of harm from late frost is minimal. Their bountiful buds look similar in overall color and size as they populate limbs before foliage appears and then open into large flowers making them a good option to grow in your pollinator garden. Sometimes they'll put on another round of blooms in the late summer, too. But since they can both be used as privacy hedges or shaped into trees, you'll definitely want to consider their size difference.

'Jane' grows larger with a maximum height of about 20-25 feet and 15-20 feet in width so it's the one to select if you have more space available to grow a tree. 'Ann' tops out at around 10-12 feet tall and 10-12 wide so it grows into more of a large shrub. This cultivar has the potential for working better in a smaller yard, as a landscaping anchor, or in an area with limited space, like a patio. Beyond that, both 'Jane' and 'Ann' thrive in USDA zones 3b to 8, and they're alike in terms of their growing preferences. Soil that drains well and is either neutral or a little acidic is perfect for them. They'll do well in sunny or partially shaded areas and like a moderate amount of water. 

Whichever you select, be sure to choose your growing spot carefully. Shielding from heavy winds is a good idea for both 'Jane' and 'Ann,' and too much southern warmth in the spring can cause them to bud out too soon. The roots of these magnolias don't tolerate transplanting well either, so it's best to pick a location and stick with it. With some minimal pruning to remove spent blossoms, your magnolia flower buds will bloom year after year.