In her front yard was a giant old Southern Magnolia tree, with branches so huge that they lay on the ground. When my dad would take us to visit, my sister and I would spend hours playing on the limbs of the tree... once in a while, our aunt would let us cut a blossom or two from the tree and bring them inside where she would "float" them in a large bowl... The blossoms of her Magnolia were the size of a luncheon plate... and she taught us to carefully cut the stem of the blossom without touching the tender flower... Magnolia blossoms turn brown if you touch them...
The beautiful Southern Magnolia; Mississippi's State Tree and State Flower.
and so, the Magnolia became one of my favorite flowers...
Ricky planted a Southern Magnolia for me just last year... and this weekend.. it bloomed... 
I couldn't resist going out and cutting a few blossoms... being careful not to touch the tender flowers...
and while my Magnolias are not the size of a luncheon plate... they would fill a dessert plate just fine... so I "smashed" the woody stems and placed them in a vintage depression dessert glass for a vase...
I love the beautiful colors... the creamy white petals, the red axis, the pale green veins of the closed buds and the beautiful shiny deep green leaves with velvety undersides...
The Magnolia... a majestic flower... If you'd like to know more about the Magnolia you can link HERE...
The beautiful Southern Magnolia, one of my favorite flowers... down here in French Lique...
26 comments:
Magnolias are so beautiful. They are truly a symbol of the south to me.
Hi Dixie,
I love your magnolias! I'm so glad you planted a magnolia in your yard! I have a tree in my front yard that a landscaper once told me I should cut down since it's so close to the house...it's still there and I love it! :-)
Ohhh, that wonderful smell! We lived in Nashville for 7 years and are now back up north (for 22yrs. now:) and that is something I truly miss- the lovely magnolia blossoms!!
Thanks for all the great photos:)
Linda C
Ahhh, Dixie, I couldn't do with out my magnolia tree. It is so big, but I almost lost it this year in the last snow and ice storm we had, over half of it broke off from the weight of the ice. Sighhh, I am nursing it back to health but no blooms yet this year. To me the Magnolia, along with the Spanish moss, the Honeysuckle and Westeria symbolizes the strenght and the beauty of the old south.
I love Magnolias. They smell so pretty. I also loved the movie, Steal Magnolias, and I happen to think that women really are Steal Magnolias. Thanks for the reminder.
Have a wonderful Day*! _Ashley*
Oh I do so agree. Magnolia's are just beautiful. I love the flowers and the gorgeous leaves. Yours are stunning. What a blessing to have it bloom this year. Enjoy. Hugs, Marty
Hi Dixie! I love them, too! The hose I grew up in had a magnolia in the front yard. My mom and dad had moved to the North Carolina mountains and wanted a reminder of their Georgia home. I, too, played under it! In addition to being beautiful, it has the most wonderful scent! That fragrance can shoot me back to my childhood in a flash! Thanks so much for reminding me of some wonderful memories! Hugs...Debbie
Woooooo hoooooo! I just saw your topic for Wordless Wednesday this week!!!!!!!Thanks!
Thanks for sharing your Magnolias and bringing back memories. I recall swimming in a shaded pool in which my friends and I would float giant Magnolia blossoms.
P.S. I just noticed your wonderful Magnolia header on you blog. Beautiful.
Also I read Molly Smith's mention of Honeysuckle in her comment to this post. Tall Husband and I were out for a walk this morning and just realized that we haven't seen Honeysuckle for a long time. So I'm longing for some of that too.
Oh how I love Magnolias, the scent is divine! I know my neighbor's think I'm wierd when I take walks because I will literally find a low hanging bloom and stop and smell it....and linger. My grandmother had the largest magnolia tree and we used to take the giant leaves and pretend they were wings as we ran around the yard pretending to fly.
Interesting how a blossom can hold so many memories for people.
What a lovely home, and your magnolia is beautiful.
As I'm readying all of the Spiritual Sunday post today I thought I would take a small break and peak at your blog.Your post about Bea Arthur was so nice, and your client that you won't see anymore! I have tears in my eyes as I read each post. You have a job that has difficulties that I never thought of before.
God Bless you my friend,
Ginger
I love your magnolias they are so pretty!
Hey Ms. Dixie!!! Magnolias and gardenias are my most favorite flowers in the world. Yours look beautiful AND I enjoyed the story of your Aunt's huge tree ... I can just picture you climbing on the limbs.
We will all miss Bea Arthur - she was truly one of a kind.
Your magnolias are exquisite, Dixie ... and what sweet memories they hold for you of times spent playing on your aunt's majestic tree. There are few flowers, in my opinion, that can compare to the elegant beauty of a magnolia ... and I'm so glad they are our state flower here in Mississippi.
Our Gem Magnolias are full of buds right now, and I can't wait to get some pictures when they begin to open. Thank you for sharing yours with us.
Miss Dixie...
You have magnolias and I have sage brush...there is something wrong with this picture...smiles!
The Raggedy Girl- Roberta Anne
Oh, such a beautiful flower....and the scent is just lovely!!! I know that they are flowering trees of the south, but they are my husbands favorite trees, and their were plenty in Southern California where he was born and raised. He too has memories of them from childhood! Pretty post, Ms. Dixie!!
My grandmother had a huge one in her front yard. Between it and the gardenia bush by the front door, I never wanted to go inside!
I love the flowers, but oh those leaves! I love it when garlands are made from them.
Thanks for a memory jog!
Debbie
Magnolias are so beautiful, we saw a huge tree while in New Orleans one time, love your header, Kathy.
What a sweet man you have. I am sure they are even more spectacular in person. Great photography, too.
Remembering childhood moments is extra special when you can share them with others. I can almost see you climbing around in that huge tree.
Every now and then I remember your client and say a little pray for the family.
Hope your week goes well. Candy
I love Magnolias too, Dixie I have one on our side yard but it is not blooming yet. I plang.ed a small one in the back but I think it will take time for that to bloom. The flowers smell so good too!...Christine
I love magnolia trees. There is one in a neighbors yard around the corner from us, and I noticed that it has it's first 2 blooms! Yippee, summer is almost here! Kathy
I have some faux magnolias in my home, and I love them too! Thanks for sharing.
Dear Dixie...I can fully understand your love affair with magnolias...one of prized possessions is the magnolia wreath I made with my sons. Yes the green velvet has turned to brown suede but I love the piece so much!
Your blooms are gorgeous! I can surely see how they would fill your mind with such loving thoughts!
Oh Dixie they are so beautiful .
I love the story about your Aunt .
Thank you for sharing.
Now I want a Magnolia Tree.
Because you are you I have an award waiting for you on my blog. Debbie
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