Hey Patricia...I definitely would bring your Magnolia inside for the winter. Unfortunately, bringing them inside will not decrease the tree's demand for light as well. These trees are full sun plants and being in your garage will also affect the health of the plant, but if it gets too cold you will also see an effect. If you are willing to risk it, you may want to try keeping it outside but close to a south or west facing wall. Keeping it close to the house will provide some temperature protection, but I also have to warn you that I cannot guarantee that this will be enough protection. I would suspect you are about 2 zones from of being the tree's lower limit for cold hardiness zones. Its lower limit is 7. Much of CT is zone 5. This may be difficult, but by providing some microclimates it may survive the winter. I have a trick that I use here in Northern California if we are supposed to have a cold snap that my lime tree may not be able to handle. I string up some holiday lights throughout the canopy of the lime tree. Luckily, I can do this because my lime tree is very small in size. When night rolls around I simply turn on the lights, which provides a small microclimate that is slightly warmer around the lime tree and it provides a festive look. If your Magnolia is not too big (I say this because Southern Magnolias can get HUGE), I would recommend stringing some holiday lights throughout the canopy to give a little extra heat to the plant. I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you have any further questions. Cheers! Robby
