Jane Thomas
Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia)
This tree is dedicated by Nancy Hunter in loving memory of her mother, Jane Alma Rathbun Thomas.
Description: The southern magnolia is deeply rooted into the fabric of southern living. A dense, flowering evergreen tree it is grown as a specimen tree and can also be used for screening purposes. It is a long-lived tree that grows to 60-70 feet over approximately 50 years. Some trees grow as tall as 90 feet under optimal conditions. A pyramidal shaped tree with widths of 30-40 feet. Several cultivars have been grown that demonstrate smaller size, cold hardiness, and variations in leaves and flowers. ‘Little Gem’ grows 20 feet tall by 10 feet wide and has a more compact, narrow upright form and works well in smaller landscape spaces.
Leaves: Large, glossy in varying shades of green on the top and dull tan to copper brown underneath. Alternate, simple ovate to elliptical leaves range from 5-10 inches long. There is a felt like fuzz on the underside of the leaves.
Flowers: Large creamy white flowers range from 6-12 inches in size and are very fragrant. Blooms in late spring with lesser flowering throughout the summer.
Fruit: Cone shaped fruiting cluster 3-5 inches long mature in late summer to early fall. They release red coated seeds
Habitat: enjoys full sun and grows in acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained, and clay soils. It has moderate drought tolerance.
Wildlife value: The fruit attracts songbirds.
Uses: Magnolia grandiflora is a popular ornamental tree that is grown for its attractive, shiny green leaves and large fragrant flowers. Both the green and brown sides of the leaves are used in Christmas wreaths. Look for them in the Christmas decorations of Colonial Williamsburg.
History: Until early 2018, a Southern Magnolia planted by President Andrew Jackson grew near the South Portico of the White House. Legend has it that it was planted as a seedling taken from The Hermitage, Jackson’s home in TN. It was the oldest tree on the White House Grounds. President Reagan gifted a cutting to his Chief of Staff, Howard Baker, and Michelle Obama donated a seedling to the “peoples garden” of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Sources
NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/ilex-opaca/
https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=2452