Magnolia grandiflora ‘Kay Parris’ (Southern Magnolia)

Regarded as one of the best evergreen magnolias, Magnolia grandiflora ‘Kay Parris’ (Southern Magnolia) is a compact, robust evergreen tree with a straight trunk and a pyramidal to rounded crown. Huge, heavily scented, creamy-white flowers, 8-10 in. across (20-25 cm), appear at the tips of thick, tough stems in late spring, throughout the summer, and into fall. The bowl-shaped blossoms open in the morning and close at night for 2-3 days. They are followed by cone-like seedpods that contain large rose-red seeds. When the pods open, the seeds often hang by silky threads. The evergreen foliage of large, smooth, wavy-edged leathery, oblong-elliptic leaves is shiny, deep green above and velvet-like deep orange-brown underneath. Southern Magnolia is relatively fast-growing and pest free. Long-lived, its attractive evergreen leaves and creamy-white fragrant flowers make it a popular ornamental and shade tree, a gorgeous living screen, specimen plant, or tall hedge. Its dried leaves are prized by florists in flower arrangements. ‘Kay Parris’ was developed in South Carolina, USA, in 1991.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 20 ft. tall (6 m) and 10 ft. wide (3 m)
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in organically rich, moist, preferably neutral to acid, well-drained soils. Tolerant of sandy to heavy clay soils when established. Does not withstand extreme drought or wetness or pollution.
• Perfect as a specimen plant, screen, or hedge.
• Low maintenance, this beautiful tree is not subject to serious insect or disease issues. Keep an eye out for horse chestnut scale, capsid bug, coral spot, and honey fungus. Deer rarely bother Southern Magnolia.
• No routine pruning is necessary. Remove diseased, damaged, congested, or crossing shoots. If pruning is desired, prune after blooming during the growing season because dormant magnolias do not easily heal.
• Older leaves drop during late spring and summer. This can be a problem in well-manicured landscapes.
• Propagate by seed in autumn, semi-ripe cuttings from late summer to early autumn, or layering in early spring.
• Magnolia grandiflora is native to the southeastern United States.