Loblolly-Bay

Sun Exposure: Full sun or light shade

Origin: Atlantic coast of the USA, from North Carolina to Mississipi, in acid, swampy soils

Growth Habits: Evergreen tree, open-structured when young, becoming denser and pyramidal with age, 30 to 50 feet tall (9-15 m), 10 to 15 feet in spread (3-4.5 m); dark green oval leaves, 4 to 6 inches long (10-15 cm)

Watering Needs: Abundant water, need acid soil, good drainage

Propagation: Seeds, cuttings

Propagation: Seed or occasionally cutting, layering

• by semi-hardwood stem tip cuttings, in summer. Apply IBA TALC 3000 PPM. Use intermittent mist. Root in 8-12 weeks. Wound cuttings.
• by air layers, in late spring. remove a ring of bark.
• by seeds, in spring. The seeds can be harvested in late summer.

Rather difficult to grow.

Gordonia lasianthus, Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 527. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society.

Blooming Habits:
The Loblolly-Bay bears white fragrant flowers, up to 2.5 inches wide (6 cm), from spring to autumn.