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Non-Bloomin magnolia #930128

Asked April 30, 2026, 9:41 AM EDT

I have A 10-year-old “Ann” pink Magnolia that has bloomed profusely in past years, but is not blooming this year. The tree is full of small buds, but there is no indication that they will open.There is a larger tree two doors down for me. that is already finished blooming. Any suggestions on what I should do or is this tree not going to bloom again? I am heartbroken that this is not blooming this year.

Washington County Minnesota

Expert Response

Good Evening, 

Thanks for your question. 

Please click on the following link about your Ann Magnolia: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d422

This information states: 

'Ann' is a cross between M. liliiflora 'Nigra' and M. stellata 'Rosea'. It is part of the Little Girl series ('Ann', 'Betty', 'Jane', 'Judy', 'Pinkie', 'Randy', 'Ricki' and 'Susan') of hybrid magnolias that were developed at the National Arboretum in the mid-1950s by Francis DeVos and William Kosar. Plants in this series flower about 2-4 weeks later than M. stellata and M. × soulangiana, thus reducing potential damage to flowers from late spring frosts. '

So it is possible that your tree will bloom later than your neighbor's tree. I'd wait a few more weeks before you get too concerned. 

This information also states: 

Best grown in organically rich, neutral to slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Appreciates a root-zone mulch to help retain soil moisture. Also appreciates a location protected from strong winds, but avoid warm southern exposures which may promote premature bud opening in spring.

From viewing your photo, it appears you have rock mulch around the base of the tree. I hope you don't also have landscape fabric that would restrict the moisture in the soil., below the rock.  I would suggest you remove the rock and think about adding wood mulch around the tree, a few inches away from the trunk, out to a circle the size of the drip line (where the rain drops off the outer branches). This would protect the roots and keep the soil moist and cool in the hot summer. If we have a late summer drought, like we've had the past two summers, you should water it in the fall. 

Scale insects have been a problem the past few years in this area on magnolias. 

Please click on this link about scale insects: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/scale-insects

Good Luck!


Maureen Graber Replied April 30, 2026, 9:14 PM EDT

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