Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Splendid Beauty ~ Magnolias



Magnolia ~ Harbinger of Spring





Each day as I take my morning walk,

the neighborhood is filled

with a very distinct lemony fragrance.






 It announces the magnolia blooms

that are in abundance this time of year.




 These splendid white beauties are named

for the 17th century French botanist, Pierre Magnol.





 Native to both Asia and the Americas, the evergreen

tree has leathery leaves and gorgeous large white blooms.




 Considered to be very primitive,

the blooms are similar to the very first flowers.




 Magnolia blooms open in layers,

can be as large as 10 inches across,

and have as many as 14 tepals.





Both Mississippi and Louisiana

selected Magnolias as their state flower.





 It's no surprise that these

blooms are associated with . . .




Beauty,




 Perseverance,




 Dignity and,




 Nobility


Please click the links below to see what others are sharing this week.










Also joining The Tablescaper to

celebrate her 2nd Blog-aversary with

Where do you keep it all? Part II

Click below to see the answers.

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Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

63 comments:

  1. PriscillaMay 31, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    Beautiful trees. They remind me of Texas, as our friends had a huge old Magnolia tree in their front yard. The beauty just keeps going since the pods are beautiful as well.

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  2. DebbiedoosMay 31, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    We love Magnolia's and almost bought a tree the other day. They do well here in the Carolina's but not so much in South Florida. We had one there, and it was an awful twig, so I am not over it I told my husband. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures Sarah.

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  3. Donna@Conghaile CottageMay 31, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    They are gorgeous! I love the contrast of the white flower and the leathery leaf! They are Magnificent. I have never read about them, Thank you for educating us about them! I didn't realize the flower opened in layers. I love to use their leaves at Christmas time in decorating.
    Big Hugs to you,
    Donna

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  4. LynnMay 31, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    Very pretty Sarah! I'd love to smell the lemony fragrance just once:@)

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  5. SoutherncookMay 31, 2011 at 7:41 PM

    Being the Southerner that I am I dearly love Magnolias. The fragrance wafts through the air here in the South when in bloom. Such a magnificant bloom too. We have a farm in S GA and the Magnolias are everywhere and are simply breath taking. I enjoyed your post.

    Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

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  6. Barbara F.May 31, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    Unfortunately I have never seen a real magnolia, only the faux variety. Yet it is one of my favorites. xo,.

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  7. Sylvia KMay 31, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    I do love magnolias and your captures are breathtaking! What a joy! Hope you have a wonderful week, Sarah! Enjoy!

    Sylvia

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  8. Keetha BroylesMay 31, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    THIS is what I call a MAGNOLIA!!! There are "imposters" lurking up here - - - they have pink blooms that come on BEFORE the leaves. They may have the word magnolia in their name, but they "ain't" no magnolia!!!

    THIS is a magnolia. A true blue (well, actually deep hunter green and white) southern magnolia.

    LOVE them.

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  9. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiMay 31, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    Your photos made me feel as if I could smell their lovely scent, Sarah! I loved seeing these creamy white magnolia blossoms and learning more about them!

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  10. a quiet lifeMay 31, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    so beautiful, you know i love ALL flowers! waving hi and hoping all is well your way :)

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  11. Alison @ The PolohouseMay 31, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    Gorgeous.
    Beauties in the garden
    and one of my most favorite scents.
    xx

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  12. LindaMay 31, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    Wonderful photos!! Happy Outdoor Wednesday!!

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  13. Carolina MountainsMay 31, 2011 at 10:01 PM

    we have many around us here but not in our yard. These are lovely!

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  14. Penny from Enjoying The Simple ThingsMay 31, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    What a beautiful flower. I love the leaves too. I have used them as name plates on my dinner table, writing on them with gold pen

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  15. Jacqueline~Cabin and CottageMay 31, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    I first saw these visiting my son in Dallas. Spellbinding! I love the leaves too. I'm always wanting him to send me branches at Christmas. Haven't gotten them yet! Ha!

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  16. Francie...The Scented Cottage StudioMay 31, 2011 at 10:33 PM

    I love when the magnolias bloom ... it really says Southern Belle ~

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  17. The TablescaperMay 31, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    Such amazing flowers. I can't believe the size!

    - The Tablescaper

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  18. Light and VoicesMay 31, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    These photos of magnolias in bloom are g-r-e-a-t! See you next week.
    Joyce M

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  19. The Charm of HomeJune 1, 2011 at 1:50 AM

    What a beautiful flower. It reminds me of the movie Steel Magnolias. Love that movie! Thanks for linking this to Home Sweet Home Sarah!
    Sherry

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  20. MaryJune 1, 2011 at 4:48 AM

    Hi Sarah~ Beautiful blossoms! I so love the waxy foliage & large white blooms of the magnolia~ when they are pristine & new and also when they are "rusty" and faded! The scent is like faint gardenia to me... Hope you're surviving the heat in Texas!

    Mary

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  21. DebbieJune 1, 2011 at 5:58 AM

    It is definitely a favorite bloom of mine, and I think the fragrance is clean and fresh. You have beautiful shots!

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  22. La Table De NanaJune 1, 2011 at 6:14 AM

    I love them too..Mine is finally blooming..just done..but the first real year with multiple beautiful blooms.. heavenly.

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  23. Pat@Back Porch MusingsJune 1, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    I love magnolias and these are gorgeous, Sarah!!

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  24. High Street CottageJune 1, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    They grow around here in our neighborhood as well, I just love the trees full of them. And the smell is so lovely. Great post, xxx

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  25. KathleenJune 1, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    I don't think we have that kind here, only the pink ones that last a day.
    Beautiful! It must smell heavenly!

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  26. Kaye Swain - SandwichINK for the Sandwich GenerationJune 1, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    Hi, I came for Rednesday and enjoyed this post thoroughly as well! My senior mom is the gardening wiz but I LOVE any gorgeous flowers that just keep coming back lovely each year and the Magnolia is definitely one of my faves. I don't have any in my landscaping designs but some of my neighbors do, so I get to enjoy theirs and now yours. Thank you :)

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  27. Candy @ The Little Round TableJune 1, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    Gorgeous blooms and the photos are so beautiful! Simple beauty is sometimes the best.

    Thanks for joining the garden party,
    Candy

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  28. By the BluegrassJune 1, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    Very beautiful shots, Sarah! And, very informative as well.
    Xo,
    Sena

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  29. AnonymousJune 1, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    :)

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  30. KarenJune 1, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    Absolutely splendid! What a gorgeous flower. So white and crisp but at the same time soft. Lovely!
    Karen
    Ladybug Creek

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  31. Blooming Rose MusingsJune 1, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    Magnolias are so beautiful and your photos are extraordinary. Truly gorgeous!

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  32. Ricki TreleavenJune 1, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    Yours are so pretty, Sarah. Ours are unhappy due to this crazy heat. Our heat indexes have been over 100 degrees!

    Very pretty photos.

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  33. Bargain Decorating with LaurieJune 1, 2011 at 10:29 PM

    Sarah, I love Magnolia trees. Not only the flowers, but the leaves are so pretty and can be used in so many different types of decorations. Beautiful photos. laurie

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  34. suzannepaintsJune 1, 2011 at 10:40 PM

    I do declare. You are very informative. I was hoping to have magnolia blossoms for my crawfish boil. I offered a friend's small daughter-in-law a price per blossom if she would scale trees for me. She declined. The florist I checked with said there was a shortage and unpredictability just now because of floods in Colombia!

    Thank goodness I went another route. The sky opened up just about party time. It was a welcome rain but my centerpieces were completely ruined.

    Merci à M. Magnol!

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  35. Johanna GehrleinJune 2, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    Hello Sarah,
    those Magnolias are real beautys. I love the crispy white and the elegant shape.
    Best greetings,Johanna

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  36. Sandra EvertsonJune 2, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    Gorgeous photos of the Magnolia!
    Sandra Evertson

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  37. lanakwaustin@att.netJune 2, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    STUNNING photos of these gorgeous magnolias!!! I love, love, LOVE magnolias! We bought our first (VERY OLD!) house partly because of the 2 huge magnolias in the front.
    We actually have a magnolia tree here on our lot in Italy. It's surreal--it's right next to a palm tree!!!!
    It has one blossom way up on top and I'm hoping it will blossom all over soon!!!!!!
    Hugs/blessings,
    Lana

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  38. Designs on 47th StreetJune 2, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    You have hit it right on! Magnolias are God's gift to us, aren't they? LOVE THEM. I even named my cat Magnolia. :)

    Donna

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  39. UnknownJune 2, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    These are gorgeous shots! What a great post. I love magnolias. They are so lovely.

    Thank you so much for joining in for Fresh-Cut Friday! :)

    ~Liz

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  40. Liz @ Sit With Me In My GardenJune 2, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    Wow, such a beautiful flower! The all white color is lovely! Mine are a pink color. Ours are done blooming but when they were it was a wonderful smell to enjoy! Your photos are beautiful, thanks for sharing!

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  41. Castles Crowns and CottagesJune 3, 2011 at 4:56 AM

    Oh dear, these are amongst my favorite trees here in Minneapolis. My neighbor has a PINK one that just takes our breathes away....dearest Sara, what a fun post and it gives me tickles to know that SPRING IS FINALLY HERE FOR US! Thank you for coming to my PRovence...such peace there for me....have a lovely weekend , Anita

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  42. MaryJune 3, 2011 at 6:40 AM

    We have a ton of them around here too - one in my rear neighbor's garden has grown so fast and now towers over the fence dropping those huge leaves on my lawn, sigh! They are messy trees and requires lots of clean up rounds the base, BUT worth it for the beautiful blooms and their delicious fragrance.

    Summer in the South wouldn't be the same without the magnolia blossoms!

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  43. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereJune 3, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    Sarah, Thank you for sharing these pretty pictures at my party. Growing up we had a very large magnolia tree in the front yard and I have always loved the blooms.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  44. The French HutchJune 3, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Sarah, to walk among the Magnolias for your morning walk and have the beautiful fragrance surround you would be enchanting, and very motivating to get out and walk. Our neighborhood is not old enough to have such beautiful mature trees, but I grew up around them as a child and know the beauty of these wonderful trees.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  45. ZinniaJune 3, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    I become mesmerized. What luck to live in an area full of magnolia. Where I live is too cold. I Onkar you a great weekend! Zinnia

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  46. AnonymousJune 3, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    Awh Sarah, my most favorite. From my yard to the park I walk each morn among the Magnolias as if planted one after another, their sweet smell envelopes me in buttery smoothness their petals as thick as velvet; what so tender to bruise, so enjoy them quick -- Blessings Terri www.morningdewdrops.typepad.com

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  47. SoniaJune 3, 2011 at 10:34 PM

    Hi Sarah,

    On our trip to Florida we drove through Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia...everywhere the magnolias were blooming..such a lovely time to be in the South when they are in full bloom! Thanks for sharing your lovely magnolias..they are grand!


    Miss Bloomers

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  48. Susan Nowell @ My Place to YoursJune 4, 2011 at 5:31 AM

    Sarah, thanks for stopping by and telling me you featured magnolias, too! I can never get enough of their beauty!

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  49. Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your HomeJune 4, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    One of my favorites...beautiful!!!

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  50. PondsideJune 4, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    The magnolia has to be one of the most elegant flowers. Ours don't have any perfume, but I guess that is their protest at being forced to grow so far north!

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  51. bjJune 4, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    The magnolia is one of my favorites. It is too hot, dry and windy here for them to do well. We do have some scattered over town but they never look like the ones around Austin.
    My brother lives in Arkansas and they have the biggest trees with huge blooms and the whole town smells wonderful.:)
    hugs, bj

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  52. SweetladyelaineJune 4, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Magnolia trees are beautiful! I haven't lived in Texas long but noticed them in some yards. I wanted to pick a blossom but was afraid to ask. They are just breath taking! Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings My Friend,

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  53. MarlisJune 4, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    I so wish I had a magnolia tree, I might have to give it a try. The blooms are so beautiful and your blooms are so very large and I bet just smell wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing one of our daily gifts with us! blessings, Marlis

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  54. The TablescaperJune 4, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    One of these days we've got to get you to share where you keep it all, but I'm so glad you've joined Seasonal Sundays none the less. I'd love to know where you keep all of that wonderful McKC loot!

    - The Tablescaper

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  55. JojoJune 4, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    My husband and I took a walk tonight (after the sun went down since it is so hot) and at one point we stopped just to take in the beautiful fragrance of a magnolia tree in full bloom. It's so amazingly beautiful both to see and to smell.

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  56. La Vie QuotidienneJune 5, 2011 at 12:21 AM

    Such beautiful flowers and the scent...well, overwhelmingly wonderful! They are blooming here as well now too. I stopped while leaving the gym last week to take a big sniff of a blossom ~ heavenly.

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  57. Poppy @ With a Dash of ColorJune 5, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    I love magnolias..their sweet fragrance is soo heavenly!I wish I had magnolias in my yard. You have captured their beauty so beautifully... thanks for sharing with us. I appreciate you stopping by and for your lovely comment. Have a wonderful weekend!~Poppy

    http://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

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  58. bjJune 5, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    Hello, sweetie, I came by to see your dish storage and...can't find it..?

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  59. afternoon teaJune 5, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    Beautiful photos! I've never seen a real live magnolia. I wish we could at least grow the pink variety here.
    AT

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  60. French-KissedJune 6, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    So beautiful...thanks for sharing these lovely blossoms...I can almost smell them. My first memory of the Magnolia is of the huge trees that grew in my grandparents' front yard...in Texas, of course!

    Jermaine

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  61. Tammy@Beatrice BanksJune 6, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    Gorgeous! We used to have a large magnolia in our yard when I was a child. I remember trying to reach up to pick one of the flowers but never was tall enough. My mom would finally come out and cut one. We'd put it in a jar and she'd tell me not to touch it so it wouldn't turn brown. Of course, I didn't listen b/c I just had to touch that creamy velvet flower!

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  62. Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart)June 7, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    Your magnolia is gorgeous. I'm not sure we could grow them in our area..your's is wonderful..
    hugs ~lynne~

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  63. AnaJune 8, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    Hi Sarah,
    The magnolia tree is my favoritest tree ever! Love those gorgeous flowers. I had a little one, just barely starting to grow, when we got a gopher problem. They dug everything up. Poor little one, I'm sad to say he didn't make it :-( Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures. Have a wonderful day.

    Hugs and Kisses,
    ♥Ana

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Thank you to each of you who take the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one and will respond to any questions. Your notes are the only way I know who has stopped in for a visit.

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