Kay Parris Cold Hardy Southern Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora ‘Kay Parris’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Tree

Height at Maturity: 20-25′

Width at Maturity: 8-10′

Spacing: 6-8′ for solid hedge; 16’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Conical, Dense, Upright

Flower Color: White

Flower Size: Large, 6-8″

Flowering Period: Late Spring – Summer

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: Yes – extremely fragrant!

Foliage Color: Dark Green, Orange-Copper undersides

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun, Morning Shade with Evening Sun

Water Needs: Average, Low when established

Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist

Soil pH: 4.5 – 7.5 (Acid to Slightly Alkaline)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer, Disease, Drought, Heat, Humidity, Insect

Description

Considered to be one of the very best and most cold hardy of the evergreen Southern Magnolias, now gardeners as far north as USDA Zone 6a can enjoy a southern magnolia! ‘Kay Parris’ is a relative newcomer with branching that is a more compact and dense than other varieties, which makes it more snow and ice resistant. Appearing late spring throughout summer, large 7 to 8 inch diameter flowers are extremely fragrant, filling the landscape with that wonderful lemony aroma typical of other southern magnolias. The flowers of Kay Parris stand out remarkably well against the background wavy, extremely glossy leaves that are dark green on top with orange-copper velvety undersides. With a dense, conical form up to 25 feet in height with a spread of about 10 feet, Kay Paris is a fine selection for evergreen privacy screen plantings or to frame the corners of tall homes.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing upright to 20 to 25 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide, Kay Parris Magnolia has many uses in the landscape. We use it most often in evergreen privacy screen plantings, as a focal point specimen, to frame the corners of tall homes or other structures, or as espalier (trained to grow against a wall) on tall, open walls. Can also be grown in large pots, planters and containers of 18 inches or more in rim diameter. A fine addition to fragrance gardens, white theme gardens, bird & wildlife gardens and cottage gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 6 to 8 feet for solid privacy screens; 16 feet or more for space between trees

See: Privacy Screen Planting Tips & Instructions

Growing Preferences

Kay Parris Magnolia is very easy to grow in most any average moist but well-drained soil, preferring one that is rich in organic matter. It grows well in full sun, part shade or all-day filtered sun. For best density of foliage and flowering, we suggest 4 hours or more of direct sunlight per day. Very low maintenance and never requires pruning. That said, stray branches can be pruned for shaping purposes.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, prune, feed and water Southern Magnolia trees.

How To Plant & Care For Southern Magnolia Trees

Privacy Screen Design Planting Tips & Instructions

Plant Long & Prosper!

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