January has been cold. Bitterly cold. Since it was my first January in Maine, I wasn’t quite prepared for just how dark and frigid this season can get. The snow-covered landscape has its beauty, but after weeks of grey skies and short days, I’ve found myself craving any hint of spring.

One thing that has helped break up the monotony of winter is diving into plant catalogs. Pouring over pages of new introductions, rare finds, and tried-and-true favorites has been a bright spot in an otherwise frozen landscape. This year, I sent some orders by email, but for a few, I picked up the phone and called the nurseries directly. And I’m glad I did.

The Perks of Calling Your Nursery

There’s something special about speaking with the people who grow these plants. Nurseries are often run by plant lovers—true enthusiasts who have dedicated their careers to seeking out, propagating, and sharing fascinating cultivars. Over the phone, I get to “meet” these people, and more often than not, they turn out to be some of the most passionate plant geeks I’ve ever spoken with.

Another unexpected perk? Learning about plants that might not have made it into the catalog. Whether they missed the printing deadline or are so new that they haven’t been widely promoted, these hidden gems are often some of the most exciting finds of the season.

This is exactly how I learned about Magnolia ‘Ginter Spicy White.’

A Magnolia with a Story

While placing an order with Jason at Rare Find Nursery, he casually mentioned this new magnolia—a tree bred by a volunteer at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Virginia. That volunteer, Bill Smith, had spent years carefully hybridizing different species to create something unique: a magnolia with large, creamy white flowers and a spicy fragrance.

I was immediately intrigued.

The parentage of this tree is what makes it so special. It’s a cross between three distinct magnolia species:

• Magnolia sieboldii – Known for its nodding, fragrant white flowers and ability to thrive in cooler climates.
• Magnolia ashei,– A rare, fast-growing Florida native with huge tropical-looking leaves and large, fragrant blooms.
• Magnolia tripetala ‘Bloomfield.‘– Often called the “umbrella magnolia” for its oversized leaves, this species adds a bold, architectural presence to the garden.

If you remember Mendelian genetics from your 9th-grade biology class, the process Bill Smith used was straightforward but meticulous. He first hybridized Magnolia sieboldii with Magnolia ashei, creating an F1 generation (the first set of offspring). Then, he crossed that F1 hybrid with Magnolia tripetala ‘Bloomfield’, producing an F2 generation, from which he selected the best seedling for its flowers, fragrance, and foliage.

The result? A new magnolia with massive leaves, creamy white blooms, and a spicy fragrance—hence the name Ginter Spicy White.

Why This Magnolia Is Worth Watching

Magnolias have long been a favorite of mine, and the species used in this cross are some of the most fascinating. They aren’t your typical suburban Magnolia soulangeana or Magnolia stellata—they’re wilder, bigger, and more dramatic.

Here’s why I’m particularly excited about Ginter Spicy White:

• Unique Fragrance – Most white-flowered magnolias have a lemony or citrus scent, but this one reportedly has a warm, spicy aroma.
• Massive Foliage – Thanks to M. tripetala and M. ashei, this tree will likely have bold, tropical-style leaves, making it a striking specimen in any garden.
• Cold Hardiness – While M. ashei is a southern species, both M. sieboldii and M. tripetala can tolerate colder climates. This hybrid has the potential to be a hardy, exotic-looking magnolia for gardens in zones 5-7.
• Shade Tolerance – Many magnolias thrive in full sun, but M. sieboldii prefers dappled shade. If this hybrid inherits that trait, it could be a great option for woodland gardens.

Where Ginter Spicy White Might Fit in the Garden

If this tree performs as expected, it could be a showstopper in a variety of settings:

• Specimen Tree – With its large leaves and bold blooms, it would make a fantastic focal point in a garden.
• Woodland Garden – If it inherits M. sieboldii’s tolerance for partial shade, it could thrive in a more naturalistic setting.
• Pollinator-Friendly Garden – Magnolia flowers are beloved by beetles, bees, and other early-season pollinators.
• Moist, Well-Drained Soil – Like most magnolias, it will prefer rich, well-draining soil with consistent moisture.

The Joy of Unexpected Discoveries

I love that I stumbled upon Ginter Spicy White simply by making a phone call. It’s a reminder that gardening isn’t just about placing orders—it’s about building relationships, learning from experts, and discovering plants that might not even be on your radar.

So, as you browse catalogs this winter and spring, consider picking up the phone and calling your favorite nurseries. You might just learn about a cool (or spicy) new plant.

Have You Heard of Ginter Spicy White?

I’d love to know if anyone else is growing this magnolia—or if you have experience with its parent species. Are there any other lesser-known magnolias that have caught your eye recently?

-Rodney

More posts:

• A Romantic Magnolia Inspired Garden for “Design New England”
• Happy Spring, Something For Japan & Magnolia Bugs
• Seed Catalogs
• Cistus Nursery
• Grow Wasabi Horseradish – How to Achieve a Nerdy Garden Challenge