The pictures show a dwarf Magnolia which is cultivated as a fragrant houseplant for centuries. It is Magnolia coco (aka Liriodendron coco, Michelia pumila, Michelia coco).

There are a few similar species. The one I have is the smallest. She is a shrub possibly smaller than Gardenia. Like Gardenia, they love acid soil too. I estimate the leaves are only 3-5 inches long. The white flowers of the unique Magnolia open quietly at sunset. Over night, she releases an intoxicating sweet-pineapple scent. The scent is unusually powerful. There is a reason to it. Most magnolias lack nectar, but the Magnolia coco is a nice exception - it secretes a nectar-like substance inside the flower.

Sadly, after just one night of beauty and perfume, the short-lived flower falls off the second day.

Gladly, Magnolia coco keeps producing new buds for 9+ months each year. If planted outdoors in mild climate, they bloom in spring, fall and winter. I think there are quite a few venders selling them in the US. The plant is also quite popular in Europe, the UK, etc.

Below are a few images of a single flowered/species plant. Notice this Magnolia is a small shrub. Double flowered cultivars exist in cultivation (check here).

P.S. Carrie, it is interesting to know you have a collection of rare Magnolias. Would you show us a name list, for us to admire?

Where'd you get yours? It's very hard to find even through mail order, particularly in a decent size.

Jim

After a google search, I find these: FE of California sells 1-2 feet plants in 6" pots at $45 each. TT of Florida sells these in 1 gallon pots at $40. Numerous other venders have these in stock. Although the price is a little high, the plant is truly wonderful. Finally, we have a small Magnolia which can be kept successfully indoors; and she is even fragrant!

Toni, Cuttings are pretty easy. I'd take a cutting from new growth that has hardened up just a tad, like around August. Then root it just like you would root anything else. I've been able to root lots of Michelias, and they grow really fast from cuttings.

What an impressive list!

Please be patient to your Magnolias, especially those large trees!

Magnolia platypetala is a tree about 65 feet tall. A mature plant produces a ton of flowers from December to April. The peak of blossoms is in March when ice starts to melt. It is recorded that every leaf produces a flower. The blooming scene is indeed powerful. The tree is quite fragrant as a whole.

The endangered M foveolata is also a large tree. The flowers look like figo!

Enjoy your Southern beauties!

Toni, these are ever-green Magnolias. They look quite different from yours. Have you ever seen a Southern Magnolia?

The figos are blooming right now. I swear, heaven couldn't get any better than my very own 2 acres in Texas.

I am green in jealousy about your blooming figos. Somehow, we don’t have any M figo near DC. I think we are mild enough for them though.

Oh, I want to see the little platys stick which is "knee high and covered with blooms"? How interesting! Please take some pictures :-) The sheer number of blooms on a mature tree guarantees a wafting fragrance.

I think you will have a pleasant journey in searching for these Southern beauties. There are hundreds of "exotic" Magnolias. Unfortunately, some are still to be (re)discovered before they become extinct! I will certainly post more when I have a little more time.

… still waiting for your platys pictures ;-)

Logees may still sell M. Figo..but I'm not too impressed with their plants the last 10 years, so I stopped ordering from them..Toni