Skip to content
Need help? Call us at 888-444-1126
    Kay Parris Southern Magnolia Tree

    Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris' Low Branch

    Skip to product information
    Magnolia grandiflora Kay Parris flowers and leaves
    Magnolia grandiflora Kay Parris  trees in a landscape with lawn

    *All orders eligible for $20 flat-rate delivery. Go ahead, plant your heart out!

    Kay Parris Southern Magnolia Tree

    Kay Parris Southern Magnolia Tree

    Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris' Low Branch

    Regular price $179.95
    Regular price $199.95 Sale price $179.95
    Select Size:
    Out of Stock

    Currently, we only deliver within California. If your order will be delivered to that state, please change your Growing Zone above or in the menu.

    Mature height
    20-25 ft.
    Mature Width
    8-10 ft.
    Sun exposure
    Sun/Part Sun
    Watering
    Regular
    Growth Rate
    Fast
    Grows Well in Zones
    6, 7, 8, 9, 10
    View full details
    Description

    Magnolia grandiflora ‘Kay Parris’ offers the charm of a Southern Magnolia tree but is suited for today’s smaller garden. More cold-hardy and faster-growing than most compact Magnolia grandifloras, ‘Kay Parris’ is a dense, small evergreen tree with large, fragrant flowers. A versatile plant with resilience, strength, and elegance, it will surely be a stunning addition to any landscape.

    The Kay Parris Southern Magnolia tree grows faster and flowers at a younger age compared to ‘Little Gem’ and some other compact varieties, allowing you to enjoy her beauty sooner. Showy, 8-10 inch large, creamy-white flowers bloom throughout the season from June to September, filling the air with a sweet citrusy fragrance. Bowl-shaped or cup-shaped blossoms with thick, waxy petals radiate outwards, followed by cone-shaped seed pods. The flowers and seed pods of the Southern Magnolia are beautiful in floral arrangements, and also attract birds, bees, and other pollinators.

    The foliage of Magnolia ‘Kay Parris’ offers a lush evergreen backdrop that is equally impressive and visually striking. Its extremely glossy, narrow oval-shaped leaves are thick and leathery, featuring distinctive wavy edges. Measuring 6-8 inches in length, these rich green, shiny leaves reveal a plush, velvety coppery-colored underside, creating a dramatic contrast in both texture and color. Additionally, the dense, felt-like hairs of this Southern Magnolia variety help retain moisture, enhancing its drought tolerance.

    This compact flowering magnolia tree has an overall oval shape with a dense, upright habit and vigorous growth making it ideal for small spaces or large containers. It can also be used as an accent in a larger landscape. Reaching heights up to 20 ft. and widths of 8-10 ft., the Kay Parris Southern Magnolia can be utilized as a privacy screen, a small shade tree, or trained into an espalier, depending on pruning practices and the desired form. Tolerant of heat and drought, and resistant to pests and diseases, ‘Kay Parris’ is also more cold-tolerant than other compact varieties, making this Southern Magnolia an easy, low-maintenance choice.

    This little gem of a tree with majestic beauty, is a reminder that good things come in small packages. Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris' offers timeless charm and is well-suited for contemporary gardens. A versatile plant with resilience, strength, and elegance, it will surely be a stunning addition in any landscape.

    Plant Care

    Magnolias thrive in moist, well-drained soils that are slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. They can adapt to clay, loam or sandy soils but do not tolerate soggy or poorly drained soils.

    Plant your Magnolia grandiflora ‘Kay Parris’ in a location that receives full sun to light shade, at least 6 hours of sunlight. While Southern Magnolias prefer full sun in warm, humid climates, providing some afternoon shade in hot and dry climates can offer relief. Avoid areas prone to strong winds or sea spray to prevent damage.

    Water your new magnolia tree regularly, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged, until the roots are well-established (typically one to two years, depending on soil and climate conditions). Once established, adjust the watering frequency as needed, keeping in mind that Magnolias prefer moist, well-drained soils. Applying a rich organic mulch around the base of the tree will help retain soil moisture and encourage healthy growth.

    Kay Parris Magnolia requires minimal maintenance. Prune as needed to remove damaged or overgrown branches, or to maintain the desired shape. For a traditional tree shape or patio tree, consider removing lower branches to expose the trunk and shaping the canopy to your preference.

    Delivery details

     Flat Rate
    All orders have a flat rate delivery fee of $20.

    Quality
    Delivering premium quality plants is a core value for everyone at Plants Express. Whether it is a small plant or a large tree, we use the appropriate vehicles and team members to deliver your order in a timely manner.

    Our Commitment:
    As part of our unwavering dedication to sustainability, we take great pride in delivering your plants and trees without the use of any cardboard boxes. Furthermore, we utilize our own fleet of eco-friendly vans to ensure that we uphold our commitment to sustainable practices throughout every stage of the delivery process.

    Our commitment to your satisfaction goes beyond just reducing waste and emissions, as we guarantee that your products are in the capable hands of our expert team members. With their careful attention and exceptional skills, your plants and trees will arrive in immaculate condition, ready to thrive in your care.

    FAQ's

    Q: How big is the Kay Parris Southern Magnolia tree in a 15 gallon pot?
    A: The approximate height of a Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris' low branching tree in a 15 gallon pot is 5-7 ft. tall.

    Q: How far apart should I plant my Kay Parris Magnolia trees?
    A: If you are planting a few trees in a group, we suggest at least 16 feet or more of space in between trees. If you want to create a privacy screen, we recommend 6-8 ft. apart for a dense planting.

    Q: What is the difference between ‘Kay Parris’ and ‘Little Gem’ Magnolia grandiflora varieties?
    A: Although ‘Little Gem’ and ‘Kay Parris’ are both compact varieties of Magnolia grandiflora, Kay Parris is believed to be a cross between 'Little Gem' and 'Bracken's Brown Beauty' Southern Magnolias, and differs from ‘Little Gem’ in the following ways:

    • Kay Parris is faster growing, more vigorous, and more dense than Little Gem.
    • Kay Parris blooms at a younger age than Little Gem.
    • The leaves of Kay Parris are highly glossy and have wavy-edges.
    • Kay Parris is more cold-hardy than Little Gem.

    Q: Who is Kay Parris?
    A: Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris' is an open-pollinated seedling of M. grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ propagated by Kevin Parris in 1991 and named after his beloved mother.

    California Grown
    • At Plants Express, we specialize in delivering the highest quality plants grown specifically for California's unique climate and conditions.

    • Our plants are hand-selected by our team of experts to ensure that only the best plants are procured for our customers.

    • We monitor each plant from the moment it's selected until the moment it arrives at your location to ensure that it arrives in the best possible condition.

    Why Plants Express?

    For over 20 years, we’ve provided the finest plants and trees for California’s beautiful homes and landscapes. With more than 10 million trees and shrubs delivered and in the ground, we are California’s premier online nursery. We inspect every item for adherence to our stringent quality standards. From there, your plants are carefully loaded into our specially outfitted sprinter vans. If you need more mature trees and shrubs, we have a fleet of trucks for large deliveries. No more chasing after plants and carting them home. No more dried out or damaged plants arriving in boxes. With Plants Express, you can get everything you need in just a few clicks, from the comfort of your home.

    Do you need help?
    Our friendly plant experts are here to help. Give us a call or chat with us now.