Gordonia Species, Loblolly Bay

Gordonia lasianthus

Family
Theaceae (tee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Gordonia (gor-DOH-nee-uh)
Species
lasianthus (lay-zee-ANTH-us)
Synonym
Gordonia pyramidalis
Hypericum lasianthus
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
30-40 ft. (9-12 m)
over 40 ft. (12 m)
Spacing
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Bloom Color
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Trees
Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Very high moisture needs; suitable for bogs and water gardens
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
Seed Collecting
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Birmingham, Alabama

Bartow, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

Jupiter, Florida

Keystone Heights, Florida

Kissimmee, Florida

Odessa, Florida

Oldsmar, Florida

Orlando, Florida

Palm Coast, Florida

Port Saint Lucie, Florida

Saint Cloud, Florida

Sarasota, Florida

Spring Hill, Florida

Kingsland, Georgia

Savannah, Georgia

Coushatta, Louisiana

Centreville, Maryland

Chapin, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina

Conway, South Carolina

Sumter, South Carolina

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

5
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
L
Centreville, MD | September 2013 | positive

Loblolly bay is a great plant. I have been growing a few of these for a few years here in Maryland. (zone 7). They tolerate the colder ...Read More

S
Birmingham, AL (Zone 7b) | September 2008 | positive

Well I hope adding this comment doesn't jinx me or my Gordonia, but yes, that's right: I have a mature one here in Birmingham. I pl...Read More

D
D
Jupiter, FL | August 2008 | positive

Picked up one on the side of the road around Orlando about 15 years ago. Didnt think it would survive the bare root trip home to Palm Bea...Read More

M
Bartow, FL (Zone 9a) | July 2005 | positive

The lovely white flowers blooming along the roadsides are a joy. They do well in the home landscape as well. The grooved bark of mature...Read More

J
Jacksonville, FL (Zone 8b) | April 2005 | positive

The Loblolly Bay is the official city flower for Jacksonville, Florida -- a nice choice I think. It grows fairly abundantly in wooded ar...Read More

H
Odessa, FL (Zone 9b) | March 2005 | neutral

While this plant may like moist soil, it will not take standing water. It also has a reputation as being difficult to transplant and gen...Read More

Featured
Natal Plum 'Boxwood Beauty'
(Carissa macrocarpa)
Giant Swallowtail
(Papilio cresphontes)
Willet
(Tringa semipalmata)
Featured
Natal Plum 'Boxwood Beauty'
(Carissa macrocarpa)
Giant Swallowtail
(Papilio cresphontes)
Willet
(Tringa semipalmata)