Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris'

Considered to be one of the very best of the evergreen magnolias, 'Kay Parris' an introduction from Gilberts Nursery Inc., is a relative newcomer. Believed to be a cross between two other fine magnolia varieties, 'Little Gem' and 'Bracken's Brown Beauty', this small tree or multi-stemmed large shrub can stand up to any of its competition as long as it is provided regular watering.  The leaves are a glossy, medium green with wavy leaf margins. Unlike its 'Little Gem' parent, this selection has a deep orange-brown, almost velvet-like underside to its leaves. The extremely fragrant flowers are a bit smaller than the standard Southern magnolia and appear from late May to late September.

'Kay Parris' magnolia should have a specimen spot in any sunny Carolina landscape. With its dense compact habit you can use them as a living screen or potentially sheared into a tall hedge. In areas of the Carolinas where winter ice storms are common, this cultivar has great limb structure and appears to hold up better than 'Little Gem'.  It is drought tolerant once established but in dry hot areas will need some shade.

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