L. benzoin is a host plant for the Tiger and Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies. A tea can be made from the leaves. Sun . . Zones 4 to 6 . . Early Spring Hybrid Deep purple-red blooms in early spring.
Flowers appear before the leaves.
First hybridized in 1955-56 to produce a Magnolia that would bloom later than M. stellata to avoid frost damage to the flowers. Sun . . Zone 6 to 8 . . Hybrid A decidious Magnolia bearing large, fragrant, yellow blooms. Sun to lt.shade . .