Back in 1999, we were thrilled to have Alabama magnoliaphile, Dr. John Allen Smith, of Chunchula, Alabama, stop by JLBG on his way to the International Magnolia convention. We never dreamed this would be the last time we’d ever speak, as he passed away a few months later of a brain aneurysm at age 63. When he visited, John promised to send us a plant of his new discovery, a variegated leaf form of the native Magnolia virginiana, that he’d recently named for his mother. Our plant arrived a few months after his death, thanks to his nursery manager, Linda Guy (Erdman). Today, 24 years later, our specimen remains a memory of John and his life work with magnolias, and an array of plants for the deep south.
Although John patented the magnolia, and made plans for its distribution, problems such as poor container growth, and green reversions kept it from being widely distributed. Now that the patent has expired, perhaps some smaller nurseries will begin propagating and offering this gem. We’ll also stick a few cuttings for next years Southeastern Plant Symposium auction.
Love the plant history. Good for plant trivia!
Tony, had one like this in NE Florida on property that I once owned but could not ever get it to stabilize , gave up on it and doubtful the new owners would have done anything with it. Apparently that type of variegation shows up periodically but rarely begets a commercial plant. Thanks for showing this
Is this the same as Magnolia virginiana var. australis ‘Mardi Gras’? If not have they been bred together?
Same plant, but Mardi Gras has no official nomenclatural validity.