Cucumber magnolia

The cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) is a large deciduous tree with greenish-yellow flowers, followed by oblong, bumpy green fruit that look like little cucumbers (hence the name). Since the tree is so large, and the flowers mostly unnoticeable, one could argue that this tree is more of a curiosity for the collector than something you'd want to plant as a specimen in a front yard. It is native, however, and if found on-site I would keep it if it were in good shape. This one is growing in the arboretum at Auburn.

Cucumber Magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) in flower.

Another gem flowering in the arboretum is the Alabama azalea (Rhododendron alabamense). It has white fragrant flowers with a yellow blotch in the center. I planted one in my mom's yard a long time ago and it died eventually. It probably grows best on a high site in moist, acidic soil, and pine shade (that high-light, diffuse shade found under groves of pine trees - the best shade for most azaleas). I planted mine on a lower site with denser oak and sweetgum shade. No bueno.

Alabama azalea (Rhododendron alabamense)

Finally, I couldn't resist a photo of one of the young grancy greybeards they planted in the arboretum. Chionanthus virginicus is also known as white fringe tree, but I prefer the less prosaic common name "grancy greybeard". It's in the olive family and dioecious; that is, each tree is either male or female. Although, some trees have both male and female flowers. The male flowers are more showy than the female, so when buying a tree,  it's best either select it while in flower, or find out whether it is a male tree (Good luck with that at Wal-Mart or Lowe's).

Grancy Greybeard (Chionanthus virginicus)