Plant Database
Kay Parris Southern magnolia
Mognolia grandiflora ‘Kay Parris’
Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris' is a superior, compact evergreen tree prized for its large, fragrant white flowers and stunning, rust-colored leaf undersides. A hybrid believed to be a cross between the popular 'Little Gem' and 'Bracken's Brown Beauty', this small tree or multi-stemmed large shrub offers the best of both parents: a compact, narrow form and exceptional cold hardiness . It produces an abundance of cup-shaped, creamy-white flowers with thick, fleshy petals (8-12) and a prominent yellow center, blooming from late spring through September . The flowers are slightly smaller than the standard Southern Magnolia but larger than 'Little Gem', with a strong, sweet fragrance . New foliage emerges with a striking pinkish-bronze tint before maturing to glossy, leathery, dark green leaves with spectacular, velvety, deep orange-brown to rust-colored undersides and wavy margins . With its compact, upright, rounded crown, fast growth rate, and tolerance for a range of conditions, it is an outstanding choice for a specimen tree, privacy screen, or foundation planting in smaller landscapes.