Magnolia grandiflora 'Simpson's Hardy'
This tree has grown for over 60 years at the Simpson Nursery Company, Vincennes, Indiana, USA (USDA, zone 6a). It was originally purchased from an unknown source. Robert Simpson, the original proprietor of the nursery, planted it as a Mother's Day gift. The tree is considered unique for its hardiness surviving minus 30 degrees F (-34 degrees C). It is described as pyramidal when grown in full sun, producing large white flowers 12in (30cm) in width. The foliage is heavy, dark green with good indumentum. At present time the tree is 65ft (20m) in height and 30ft (9m) in width. The tree has carried the unofficial name of 'Simpson' for a few years and was previously mentioned under this name . However, according to the Betsy Simpson, daughter of the late Robert Simpson, and current proprietor of the Simpson Nursery Company, they have always referred to it as 'Simpson Hardy' or 'Simpson's Hardy'. The current registration of this name attempts to stabilize its use in the nursery trade and capture the unique cold tolerance of this primarily southern species.