Some varieties grow nicely well into Virginia. We offer a page on Magnolia since people may associate this family with the tropics.
Magnolias have large, stiff, bright dark green leaves.
They tend to grow upright, some to 75 feet. Most trees are in the 15-30 foot range. Plant in full sun. They like fertile soil, regular feeding when young, but are generally carefree. The flowers vary in size by Magnolia variety, but many are large, some huge, close to 12 inches across.