Magnolia grandiflora

Even when summer heat reaches into the 90's the Southern Magnolia with it's stately shade and wonderful white flowers looks cool inviting. Our two have grown to form an archway in the side garden.

The sweet fragrance is an added bonus which draws you out to look more closely at of these waxy beauties.

 The many stages of the flowers as they progress towards those huge cones with red berries are fun to watch. Do not be tempted to limb up this tree just mow around it to blow the leathery leaves back under the low hanging branches to recycle nutrients & keep it tidy. I use these tough leaves as sunshades for newly planted seedlings, they come with their own stakes as the petioles are long, strong & stiff.