Mirror, mirror on the wall which is the fairest flower of the South? ASK THE HORT AGENT
Question Mirror, mirror on the wall which is the fairest flower of the South?
Answer The noblest of Southern flowers has to be the “Southern Magnolia.” This is only logical since all of America’s nobility comes from the South – Richard Petty (King of Racing), Elvis (King of Rock-N-Roll), and Budweiser (the King of Beers).
Magnolia nobility predates all human nobility. The magnolia family has fossil remains dating between 36 and 58 million years old. Magnolia species represent some of the more primitive flowering plants in the world. For example, their flowers do not have true petals and sepals but are composed of petal-like tepals. Their flowers do not produce true nectar. Instead they produce a fragrant, sugary secretion that attracts pollinating beetles (bees weren’t around when magnolias started making flowers).
In 1703 Charles Plumier described a flowering tree from the island of Martinique. He gave this tree the genus name Magnolia, after Pierre Magnol, a 17th century French botanist. Magnol’s most important contribution to science was inventing the concept of plant families. In his book Prodromus historiae generalis plantarum, in quo familiae plantarum per tabulas disponuntur (1689), Magnol classified plants based on combinations of morphological characteristics. This system is still used today.
Having one of the largest flowers in North America, the fragrant blooms of a “Southern Magnolia” average 6 to 10 inches across. Its scientific name, Magnolia grandiflora, was designed to acknowledge Pierre and these large blooms. Grandiflora means big flower.
“Southern Magnolias” are also strong. Southern settlers often planted “Southern Magnolias” in front of their homesteads. While the lower limbs of most trees were pruned off to create shade trees, the lower limbs of “Southern Magnolias” were retained. These lower limbs would root to the ground. With the tree anchored by several rooted branches, it easily resisted strong winds. Even today, “Southern Magnolia” is one of the most hurricane proof trees.
The “Southern Magnolia” is the most planted evergreen tree in the world and a staple landscape tree throughout the South. Its blossom is the state flower of both Mississippi and Louisiana. When used in the landscape, this tree needs a lot of room to grow to its majestic size.
New varieties like ‘Kay Paris’ and ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’ renew our respect for the magnolia dynasty. Compact cultivars like 'Little Gem' and 'Alta' give this tree the ability to now adapt to the demands of the 21st century landscape.
For more info on magnolias, visit http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic1015.htm
If you have further questions, call me at 910-893-7533 or email me at gpierce@harnett.org
Check to see if you have a “Southern Magnolia” in your pocket. On the old twenty-dollar bills, to the left of the White House portico, a large Southern magnolia tree appears. This tree was planted in 1828 by newly-elected President Andrew Jackson in honor of his deceased wife, Rachel. Jackson started the tree-planting tradition. Every president since Jackson has continued this tradition.
Gary L. Pierce
Horticulture Extension Agent
Harnett County | 
