{"product_id":"magnolia-grandiflora-kay-parris","title":"Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKay Parris Southern Magnolia\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eMagnolia grandiflora\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e'Kay Parris'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMagnoliaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eCultivar (bred in South Carolina, USA; species native to south-eastern USA)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEvergreen tree\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWidely regarded as one of the finest evergreen magnolias available, Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris' is a denser, more prolific-flowering alternative to the popular 'Little Gem', delivering everything that makes Southern Magnolias so beloved — spectacular fragrant white flowers, rich glossy foliage, year-round structure — in a compact, upright form that suits Adelaide gardens beautifully.\u003cbr\u003e'Kay Parris' stands apart from other compact magnolias through three distinctive features: the attractive wavy margins of its glossy leaves, its deep burnt-orange to copper-brown velvety underside that catches the light when leaves move in the breeze, and its striking bright pink-tinged new growth. Flowers are larger and produced more prolifically than 'Little Gem', and the plant's naturally dense habit makes it outstanding for hedging, screening and feature planting. An RHS Award of Garden Merit recipient, it is a genuinely exceptional tree for South Australian gardens. Believed to be a cross between 'Little Gem' and 'Bracken's Brown Beauty'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e4–6 m H x 2.5–3.0 m W in SA conditions (compact, dense, upright pyramidal habit); can be maintained smaller with regular pruning\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eModerate; 20–40 cm per year; denser and faster-establishing than 'Little Gem'\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eGlossy, deep green, leathery oval-elliptic leaves with distinctive wavy margins; rich deep copper-brown to burnt-orange velvety felt on the underside — spectacular when leaves move in the breeze; striking bright pink-tinged new growth; evergreen year-round; older leaves may yellow before shedding naturally\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eVery large, cup-shaped, creamy-white blooms 20–25 cm across; heavily fragrant with a sweet, lemon-citrus scent; produced prolifically from late spring through summer and into autumn; larger and more numerous than 'Little Gem'; flowers open in the morning and close at night over 2–3 days; followed by decorative cone-like seed pods with rose-red seeds on silky threads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFragrance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eStrongly and sweetly fragrant; lemon-citrus scent; outstanding perfume in summer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eRich glossy foliage with copper-brown undersides year-round; pink new growth in spring and summer; spectacular large fragrant flowers from late spring through summer and autumn; decorative seed cones through winter; strong architectural form in the cooler months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eNectar-rich flowers attract bees, beetles and pollinators; dense canopy provides year-round shelter and nesting habitat for small birds; seed cones attract wildlife\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDrought-tolerant once established; heat-tolerant; frost hardy (light to moderate); wind-tolerant in sheltered positions; tolerates polluted city atmospheres; clay-tolerant if well-drained; avoid salt spray exposure in frontline coastal positions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHedge\/screen: 1.5–2.0 m apart; avenue\/specimen: 2.5–3.0 m apart; suitable for large containers (60 cm+) for courtyards and feature positions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eGenerally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFull sun to part shade; best flowering and most compact habit in full sun; tolerates part shade well; provide some afternoon shade in Adelaide's hottest inland positions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOrganically rich, moisture-retentive, well-drained loam or sandy loam; incorporate compost before planting; mulch deeply; avoid waterlogging; tolerates clay soils when drainage is adequate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEstablishment: 2 deep soaks\/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer (weekly in heatwaves); monthly in winter if dry; consistent summer moisture supports prolific flowering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMulch broadly in spring to retain moisture and protect roots; light shape after flowering or in late winter; prune to manage size if needed; feed in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser (low-phosphorus for Adelaide's alkaline soils); remove spent flower heads if a tidy appearance is desired\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e25–50+ years; a genuinely long-term garden investment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSuited to temperate and Mediterranean SA gardens across Adelaide Plains, foothills, Fleurieu Peninsula and coastal positions with some shelter from frontline salt winds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSlightly acidic to neutral preferred; tolerates mildly alkaline soils if drainage is good and organic matter is incorporated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrivacy screening and boundary hedging with a refined, dense evergreen finish superior to most alternatives — glossy, fragrant and year-round attractive\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvenue and driveway planting where the upright form, spectacular summer flowering and copper-brown foliage undersides create a genuinely memorable approach\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeature specimen near entries, outdoor living and entertaining spaces where the extraordinary summer fragrance and large white blooms can be fully appreciated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarge container specimen for courtyards and alfresco areas where its naturally compact, dense habit suits pot culture over many years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompare to 'Little Gem': choose 'Kay Parris' for denser habit, bigger flowers, more prolific flowering, wavy leaf margins and the distinctive copper-orange leaf underside\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Kay Parris' takes everything that makes Southern Magnolias great and delivers it more generously — bigger flowers, denser habit, more prolific blooming and those extraordinary wavy-edged leaves with their deep copper undersides catching the light. An RHS Award of Garden Merit recipient and a genuine step up from 'Little Gem', this is the magnolia for Adelaide gardeners who want the best of the best in a compact, versatile tree.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"500mm Pot","offer_id":49004172116220,"sku":"MAGN-GRAN-KAY-PARR-500MM","price":535.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/magnolia-grandiflora-kay-parris-southern-500mm-flower-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1776651415","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/magnolia-grandiflora-kay-parris","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}