It’s a fact- the closer you live to a Southern Magnolia the better your life will be…Tall, stately and oh so beautiful, she wears flamboyant flowers and her signature citrus scent. Magnolia’s green satin leaves are lined with brown linen that sets off creamy white flowers, red berries, then rustic cone shaped seed pods. Magnolia does enjoy her seasonal wardrobe. A true Southern lady, Magnolia tends to prefer the lower and coastal landscape and seems particularly happy in a mixed crowd-

•  Silly Longleaf and Loblolly Pines,
• Moody Live Oaks with long gray beards
•  She happily waves to Nutty Hickories, Walnuts and Pecans-
• And don’t get me started on Shy Dogwoods, Sour Persimmons and Crabapples…
• Not to mention the clinging Muscadines and those crazy Redbuds!

Magnolia Grandiflora may be her given name, but just call her ‘Mag-knowl-ya’. Like so many Southern Ladies she knows how to age gracefully– and stands peaceful and serene regardless of winds or high water; and like a true Southern Lady seems to have a high tolerance for shock.  

Magnolia makes her home from the Low Country of Virginia and the Carolinas all the way down and across the South right over to Texas, where she quietly makes her majestic presence known. Give Magnolia a Decent Footing, she’ll spread thick sprawling roots- bringing Beauty to her surroundings all year round. Magnolia is the epitome of Southern Hospitality offering red berries to winter songbirds and her shiny leaves beautify every special occasion. From the cradle to the grave, Magnolia seems partial to the Holidays. Rich in symbolism, the Southern Magnolia represents

• Beauty
• Strength
• Faithfulness
• Grace
• Dignity and
• Hospitality

This year, a Magnolia Wreath seemed perfect for the front door, since we have three native Southern Magnolias and two hybrids called Little Gems, their dwarf cousins growing on the property. We made a full and simple wreath of Southern Magnolia Leaves to welcome Thanksgiving at the cottage. Beautiful. Simple and Traditional for large or small homes. Here’s how we did it-

Start with a Strong and Decent Base.

• Cover with Natural Moss for the big leaves to cling to.
• Mingle old, new and browned leaves in an orderly Dignified way.
• Generously cover the base.
• Welcome the Little Gems in a Hospitable way.
• Securely attach large wreath to front door.

Our Evergreen Southern Magnolia Wreath will carry herself in Dignity, Speak Kindly, look Beautiful and Age Gracefully, I promise!

Love y’all, Camellia

• *all photographs are obviously mine
• *Spanish Moss is covering a large grapevine wreath
• *No wiring was required since the wreath is on a covered porch, she held up beautifully so far!