Magnolia grandiflora ‘Kay Parris’

Kay Parris Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris') is an evergreen screening tree for gardens with height to spare and no width to give away. It holds at about 5m tall and 2.5m wide, with wavy dark green leaves backed in rust coloured felt, and it flowers from a young age. Planted 2m apart it makes a formal evergreen screen without the bulk of a hedge.

Why you'll love it

• Tall, narrow and evergreen. At roughly 5m by 2.5m it blocks an upstairs window all year.
• It flowers young. Large white blooms with a lemon scent open from late spring through the warm months, on plants far younger than most southern magnolias.
• Foliage worth looking at. Smaller and wavier than other grandiflora forms, with a deep cinnamon underside that shows when the wind turns them.
• Roots that behave. Fibrous and non invasive, so it can go near paths, driveways and services.
• Safe around pets. Not toxic to cats or dogs, which matters along a fence line.

Where it works best

Screening and hedging. Plant 2m apart for a dense evergreen screen. At that spacing the canopies knit while each tree stays furnished to the ground. Tighter planting shades out the lower branches.

Driveways and avenues. Stretch the spacing to 3m to 4m so each tree keeps its own shape along a drive.

Feature planting and pots. A matched pair either side of an entry suits the upright habit, and a pot 500mm or wider holds one at about 2.5m to 3m.

Growing Kay Parris Magnolia in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the heaviest flowering and the densest screen, though it accepts part shade. It is at home in warm temperate, cool temperate, subtropical and Mediterranean gardens, and it is frost hardy once established. Salt, heat and wind tolerance make it a real option for coastal blocks and exposed walls.

Soil. Well drained and slightly acidic is ideal. Work compost through the backfill, and raise the bed on heavy clay: waterlogging is the one thing it will not forgive.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then taper off as the roots go down. Feed a complete slow release fertiliser in early spring and mid summer, and keep 75mm of mulch clear of the trunk.

Pruning. Little is needed. Tip prune after the main flush to thicken a screen, and lift the lower branches only for a clear trunk.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in nine sizes, from a 200mm pack of six through 300mm, 400mm and 500mm pots to 30L, 70L, 90L, 100L and 200L. The 200mm pack is the value option for a long boundary, an extra season or two slower to screen. From 70L up you are buying real height and branch structure on delivery day.

Some leaf bronzing or a few dropped leaves after transit is normal, not a fault. Expect roughly 30cm to 50cm of growth a year once established. Plants are delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95,. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The complete guide to magnolia care in Australia
• Browse the full magnolia range
• Compare tall and narrow screening plants
• Little Gem Magnolia for a similar size with larger leaves

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a screen?

Two metres apart in a single row. The canopies meet within a few seasons and the screen reads as continuous.

How is it different from Little Gem?

Similar height and width, but Kay Parris carries smaller, wavier leaves with a richer rust underside and flowers from a younger age. It also takes cold and heat a little better.

Will it cope with frost?

Yes. It is frost hardy once established and suits cool temperate gardens. Protect young plants through their first two winters.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, in a pot at least 500mm wide with free draining mix. Expect it to settle at 2.5m to 3m, and water consistently through summer.