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Magnolia grandiflora ‘Kay Parris’ (Southern Magnolia)

Southern Magnolia 'Kay Parris', Evergreen Magnolia 'Kay Parris', Loblolly Magnolia 'Kay Parris', Great Laurel Magnolia 'Kay Parris', Big Laurel 'Kay Parris', Bull Bay 'Kay Parris'

AGM Award
Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris', Southern Magnolia 'Kay Parris', Evergreen Magnolia 'Kay Parris', Loblolly Magnolia 'Kay Parris', Great Laurel Magnolia 'Kay Parris', Big Laurel 'Kay Parris', Bull Bay 'Kay Parris'

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.

Magnolia Tree: How to Grow and Care with Success


Want to learn how to grow and care for a magnolia tree like a pro? Follow these simple steps and enjoy the beauty of this striking tree

Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Magnoliaceae
Genus Magnolia
Common names Southern Magnolia, Evergreen Magnolia, Magnolia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 15' - 20'
(4.6m - 6.1m)
Spread 8' - 10'
(240cm - 3m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Hedges And Screens, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Magnolia sieboldii (Oyama Magnolia)
Magnolia tripetala (Umbrella Magnolia)
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ (Southern Magnolia)
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Exmouth’ (Southern Magnolia)
Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia)
Magnolia macrophylla (Bigleaf Magnolia)

Recommended Companion Plants

Rhaphiolepis indica (Indian Hawthorn)
Muhlenbergia capillaris (Pink Muhly Grass)
Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ (Blue Fescue)
Ixia ‘Yellow Emperor’ (Corn Lily)
Camellia sasanqua
Tazetta Daffodils (Narcissus)

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Anise Magnolia (Magnolia salicifolia)
Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)
Loebner Magnolia (Magnolia x loebneri)
Yulan Magnolia (Magnolia denudata)
Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana)
Best Companion Plants for Camellias
Pretty Magnolia trees and Shrubs for Small Gardens
Favorite Yellow Magnolia Trees for Your Garden
Popular Types of Magnolia Shrubs and Trees
Magnolia Tree: How to Grow and Care with Success
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Magnoliaceae
Genus Magnolia
Common names Southern Magnolia, Evergreen Magnolia, Magnolia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 15' - 20'
(4.6m - 6.1m)
Spread 8' - 10'
(240cm - 3m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Hedges And Screens, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Magnolia
Not sure which Magnolia to pick?
Compare Now

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