Magnolia virginiana, or sweetbay magnolia, is native to lowlands and swamps of the Atlantic coastal plain of the eastern United States, from Florida to Long Island, New York. This species is known for its fragrant flowers that bloom over an extended period and attract the sweetbay silkmoth as a larval host. Tolerant of wet, swampy, and boggy soils, it thrives in conditions where most other magnolias cannot. While it faces minimal pest and disease issues, it may be susceptible to magnolia scale and chlorosis in alkaline soils. Pruning should be done after blooming, as dormant magnolias do not heal well. The tree is considered somewhat messy due to its large leaves, sticky flowers, and cone-like fruits that create litter in the fall.