W. W. Watson of Watson's Pecanwood Nurseries found this cultivar growing in Elloree, South Carolina and introduced it in 1923, naming it for Gloria Swanson. The historical footnote is charming; the horticultural record is more impressive. 'Gloria Grande' is considered the most scab-resistant pecan in cultivation — no small distinction in the humid Southeast — and it bears thin-shelled fruits with unusual reliability, producing annually after maturity rather than on the alternate-year cycle that frustrates growers of other cultivars. Nuts mature in October, 7 to 9 years from planting.

Growing 75 to 100 feet tall and 40 to 75 feet wide with a symmetrical oval crown, it is unmistakably a large-property tree. Full sun with well-drained soil in any texture suits it; drought tolerance develops firmly with establishment. A Type II pollinator, it pairs well with 'Cherryl', 'Desirable', 'Gafford', and 'Mandan'. The deep taproot means transplanting is not an option, so the planting decision is final. For those with the space and the patience — and the desire for a tree with both provenance and performance — 'Gloria Grande' is a genuinely distinguished choice.