I’m considering replacing a Japanese maple in my front yard with a Felix magnolia. The maple has been here a while and looks great, but I’m really drawn to the bright pink blooms of the magnolia. What do you think? Is it worth the swap?
Don’t do it. The maple is way more attractive and fits perfectly where it is.
Jules said:
Don’t do it. The maple is way more attractive and fits perfectly where it is.
Totally agree. Team maple all the way!
Jules said:
Don’t do it. The maple is way more attractive and fits perfectly where it is.
Totally agree. Team maple all the way!
Haha, my husband will love hearing that he’s on the winning team. Thanks!
The maple really fits the look of your yard better. Is there another spot where the magnolia could go?
Oli said:
The maple really fits the look of your yard better. Is there another spot where the magnolia could go?
@Micah
Beautiful yard! Maybe you could replace a shrub with the magnolia? It would add a lovely pop of color.
Oli said:
@Micah
Beautiful yard! Maybe you could replace a shrub with the magnolia? It would add a lovely pop of color.
Thank you! It’s such an upgrade from my last house, where the view was just my neighbor’s rusty camper. I could possibly put it in the middle, but it’d be cramped since the Japanese maples on either side are large cultivars that will eventually hit 20+ feet.
Oli said:
The maple really fits the look of your yard better. Is there another spot where the magnolia could go?
I’ll second that the maple looks better in the overall setup.
I have a tulip magnolia, and while it’s pretty for about two weeks, it’s kind of disappointing the rest of the year. Frost can ruin the blooms, and it’s just not as versatile as a Japanese maple.
If you do decide to swap, maybe post the maple online so someone else can enjoy it. If you’re near North Carolina, I’d come grab it myself!
@Ash
Haha, I think Mapley is staying put for now. I’ll reassess after I see how Felix does this year. My husband is definitely happy about this delay since it gives him a whole year to guilt me into keeping it!
I’d pick a coral bark maple over a magnolia any day. Plus, I think your current maple works way better with the rest of your yard. That said, Felix is gorgeous, so maybe keep it in a pot and see how you feel?
@Hollis
Thanks! The consensus seems to be to keep Mapley, and I’ll follow the advice. Felix will stay in a pot for now. Coral barks are lovely but prone to disease, so maybe someday nature will decide for me… though Mapley looks pretty happy here!
Don’t replace the maple, but the magnolia would look amazing elsewhere in your yard. The contrast could be stunning.
He gave it a name? Don’t do it! But honestly, since it’s not a native tree, anything goes. If it were native, I’d say leave it be.
I’m biased toward Japanese maples because I’m into bonsai, but that tree is a keeper.
Magnolias are beautiful for about a week, but that maple is going to outshine it for the other 51 weeks of the year.