Considered to be one of the very best of the broadleaf evergreen magnolias, 'Kay Parris' is an introduction from Gilberts Nursery Inc. It is a relative newcomer developed by magnolia researcher and breeder Kevin Parris of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and named after his mother. 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 into the summer. '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. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests. More information on Magnolia grandiflora .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Often confused withMagnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
Fills a similar nicheCamellia sasanquaCamellia Winter GroupPrunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Shrub; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect; Multi-stemmed
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Brown/Copper; Green
Leaf feel
Glossy; Velvety
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Wavy leaf margins. Deep orange-brown, almost velvet-like underside.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower detail
Flowers good for cutting, and have a long continuous bloom season.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Walkways
Landscape theme
Garden for the Blind
Design feature
Flowering Tree; Hedge; Screen/Privacy; Small groups; Small Tree; Specimen