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Home  »  Gardening Articles  »  Evergreen Magnolia Species

Evergreen Magnolia Species

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Evergreen Magnolia Trees – Varieties and Types

Magnolia Grandiflora is the ‘Evergreen Magnolia’ and in its many varieties is the most prominent group of evergreen magnolias. Ranging from large specimen trees such as Magnolia St Mary’s, Magnolia Exmouth, to types suited to hedging or screening such as the small growing Magnolia ‘Little Gem’ which is the the most popular of this group. 

New cultivars including Magnolia Kay Parris and Magnolia Teddy Bear are now on the market and these have slightly different foliage and flower forms.

Although these are all smaller growing cultivars, most Magnolia grandiflora can benefit from pruning.

Other evergreen Magnolias include the fast growing Magnolia Star Bright, an excellent screening plant with masses of flowers in spring.

Magnolia Little Gem
Magnolia Kay Parris
Magnolia Teddy Bear
From left tom right we have Magnolia Little Gem, Magnolia Kay Parris, Magnolia Teddy Bear

SORTING THROUGH THE EVERGREEN MAGNOLIAS 

Evergreen Magnolias have been popular for many years, ‘Little Gem’ a small growing cultivar, perhaps being the variety that really made these trees popular.

Now we have not only Magnolia ‘Little Gem’, but also Magnolia ‘Kay Paris’ and the soon to be released Magnolia ‘Teddy Bear’. So we hear landscapers ask ‘what’s the difference?’

Magnolia Grandiflora
Magnolia Grandiflora will grow up to 20m or more, an absolutely fantastic specimen tree in park or a very large garden.

Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’
Magnolia ‘Little gem’ was the first of the so called ‘dwarf’ magnolias, however it will still grow to 10m. Magnolia ‘Little Gem’ can be pruned back, this makes it well suited for maintaining as a tall hedge, however its great as feature tree as well.

THE NEW VARIETIES

Magnolia grandiflora ‘Kay Parris’ 
‘Kay Parris’ Magnolia is now available in Australia, great foliage, a very long flowering season, tolerates cold a little more than most magnolias. The leaves are a nice green, extremely glossy, with with a deep orange on the underside. Smaller growing than ‘Little Gem’ perhaps to only 6-9m, again it makes a nice specimen tree as it has good structure and holds its shape well, ‘Kay Parris’ Magnolia could also be a fantastic screen. A faster growing tree than ‘Little Gem’

Magnolia grandiflora ‘Teddy Bear’

Magnolia ‘Teddy Bear’ is now available in Australia. Smaller growing than ‘Kay Paris’ and again fantastic foliage, but different to others in that the dark green leaves are rounded and cup shaped and quite densely held. Will still grow to 6m, however like both ‘Little Gem’ and ‘Kay Paris’ if pruned in winter it can easily be kept more compact. Large white flowers to almost 20cm.

FOR MAGNOLIA TREES FOR SALE CHECK OR PARTICIPATING MAGNOLIA NURSERIES

Growing Magnolias.
Evergreen Magnolias are fairly versatile, in general:

  • Evergreen Magnolias prefer full sun to part shade
  • Humus rich soil.
  • Protect from hot drying winds
  • Disease and pest resistant.

 

List of evergreen Magnolia types, species and cultivars

Magnolia Grandiflora (Bull Bay)
A large growing evergreen tree to 10m and more, evergreen and requires a humus rich well drained but moist soil for best growth. Protection from hot drying winds is also required. Suited to large gardens and parklands. Excellent large shade tree.

Magnolia Grandiflora ‘StMary’
A smaller growing form reaching perhaps 7m.

Magnolia Grandiflora ‘Exmouth’
Interesting variety due to its upright habit. More suited to street planting or as a large evergreen screen in rural settings. A compact form of Magnolia Exmouth is also available

Magnolia Grandiflora ‘Little Gem’
Very popular smaller evergreen magnolia form reaching 5-8m depending on conditions. Large white flowers, useful as a screening tree or as a specimen tree. Widely used. Glossy leaves, underside is a coppery velvet. Widely used as a foliage plant by florists due to the attractive foliage.

Magnolia Grandiflora ‘Kay Parris’
A great new release. ‘Kay Parris’ has a similar growth habit to ‘Little Gem’ a little smaller and more compact. Fragrant white flowers, large glossy green leaves with a wavy margin. Underside of the leaves is a coppery velvet. Smaller and slower growing than ‘Little Gem’ reaching 6m. Reputed to hold its flowers longer as well.

Magnolia Grandiflora ‘Teddy Bear’
Another new compact form of evergreen magnolia, fragrant white flower, the back of the glossy green leaves are heavily felted coppery velvet, and the leaves themselves are more rounded that ‘Kay Parris’ or ‘Little Gem’. Long flowering, dense foliage like other small forms can be cut back to form a hedge.

Magnolia Delavayi
Originally from China. Magnolia Delavayi is a very attractive spreading, evergreen magnolia. Large leathery leaves. Creamy-white flowers in late summer to autumn.

Magnolia virginiana
Sweet Bay or Swamp Bay – Lovely scented flowers, underside of leaves is silvery, best suited to wet areas

Port Wine Magnolia
Not actually a magnolia at all, its a related species ‘Michelia Figo’ See also Michelia Doltsopa.

The smaller growing cultivars include

  • Kay Parris
  • Little Gem
  • Teddy Bear

The Larger types include

  • Magnolia grandiflora ‘Bull Bay Magnolia’
  • Exmouth
  • Greenback
  • St Mary’s

John Allman 

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