Gordonia lasianthus 'Variegata'

A Southern Rarity Trimmed in Ivory

There are plants that elevate the familiar into the extraordinary, and Gordonia lasianthus ‘Variegata’ does just that—taking the quiet majesty of the native Loblolly Bay and dressing it in a silken fringe of cream. This uncommon cultivar is a sight to behold: an evergreen of noble bearing, its glossy green leaves edged in irregular strokes of ivory, as if touched by the brush of some moonlit painter in the pine woods.

A selection introduced by Bob Byrnes of Trail Ridge Nursery in Florida—a man known for his discerning eye and commitment to preserving Southern rarities—‘Variegata’ stands as one of the few known variegated forms of this Southeastern native. It brings a fresh and luminous texture to the woodland garden, where its leaves glimmer softly through every season.

Like the species, this tree belongs to the tea family (Theaceae) and shares its lineage with the stately Camellia and the storied Franklinia alatamaha. Its summer flowers are large, white, and pristine—measuring three to four inches across—with five silky petals cupping a golden crown of stamens. The blossoms open one by one through the long summer days, offering a cooling counterpoint to the heat.

‘Variegata’ is best grown with care and intention. Gordonia is not a plant for ill-suited sites. It requires acidic, sandy soil with excellent drainage and consistent moisture—conditions often found on seepage slopes or sandy pinewood flats. In heavy or compacted soils, it falters. But where it is happy, it grows with slow dignity, offering evergreen structure, summer bloom, and foliage that brightens even the shadiest border.

It is, in every way, a tree for the collector, the connoisseur, or the gardener who wishes to preserve and celebrate the subtle beauty of the American South.

🌿 Highlights for Gardeners and Collectors:

• A rare variegated selection of the native Loblolly Bay, with creamy-white leaf margins

• Introduced by Bob Byrnes of Trail Ridge Nursery in Florida

• Native to the coastal plain of the Southeastern U.S., from the Carolinas to Florida

• Large, showy white summer flowers (3–4 inches wide) with golden centers

• Evergreen foliage is glossy and lance-shaped, now with added variegated charm

• Member of the tea family (Theaceae); closely related to Camellia and Franklinia

• Best in acidic, sandy, moist yet well-drained soil, such as seepage slopes

• Grows with an upright, narrow form, eventually reaching 30–60 feet in ideal conditions

• Perfect for native plant collectors, woodland gardens, and connoisseur landscapes

• A tree of quiet brilliance—Southern heritage with an artist’s touch