Hardy and elegant, the southern magnolia is a wonderful addition to any Nashville yard! It offers a wide range of benefits, such as beautiful, fragrant flowers and bushy evergreen foliage that provides privacy, shade, and an animal habitat year-round. Here, we’ll go over the “D.D. Blanchard” cultivar, which produces the large, creamy white blossoms Nashvillians know and love. Read on to learn all about this superb species and its place in the neighborhood landscape!
The DD Blanchard magnolia tree (Magnolia grandiflora ‘D.D. Blanchard’) has become a beloved addition to gardens across the Southern United States. This evergreen tree is prized for its lush green foliage, fragrant white blooms, and its stately, symmetrical form. While not the fastest growing of magnolia trees, the DD Blanchard cultivar grows at a steady, moderate pace to reach majestic proportions.
An Overview of the DD Blanchard Magnolia
The DD Blanchard magnolia originated as a seedling selected by Louisiana horticulturist Donellan D. Blanchard in the 1950s. It is a cultivar of the classic Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), and shares many of the same admired characteristics. However, the DD Blanchard stands apart for its more upright, pyramidal form, ease of pruning into a single-trunked tree, and its unusually large, decorative leaves.
Some key facts about the DD Blanchard magnolia
- Evergreen tree growing 40-60 feet tall and 20-35 feet wide.
- Dark green leaves up to 8 inches long with rusty undersides.
- Huge, fragrant white flowers up to 8-12 inches across.
- Blooms from late spring through summer.
- Hardy in USDA zones 7-9.
- Pyramidal form with straight central trunk.
- Grows best in full sun with regular irrigation.
With its imposing size yet symmetrical shape, the DD Blanchard magnolia makes both a graceful landscape specimen and a classic shade tree Its versatility and handsome attributes explain its prevalence across the South
The Steady, Moderate Growth Rate of DD Blanchard Magnolia
One of the many assets of the DD Blanchard magnolia is its relatively fast, but moderate and manageable, growth rate. Magnolias are generally not the fastest growing of trees, but the DD Blanchard cultivar outpaces many of its relatives.
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Typical growth per year – The DD Blanchard magnolia grows at an average rate of 1-2 feet per year once established. Some years it may reach closer to 2 feet while other years growth increments are smaller. But an annual increase of up to 24 inches can be expected.
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Height at 10 years – In ideal conditions, a DD Blanchard magnolia may stand 15-25 feet tall after its first decade of life. Given average growth of 2 feet per year, a 20 foot height at age 10 is very realistic.
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Time to reach maturity – A DD Blanchard magnolia reaches its full mature height of 40-60 feet in approximately 25 to 30 years. Though a slow starter, its growth rate accelerates as the tree ages and its root system expands.
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Advantages of moderate growth – The DD Blanchard’s steady, moderate growth rate offers important benefits. It reduces maintenance needs, prevents excessive shading, and gives the gardener ample time to decide if and where pruning may be desired. Fast-growing trees can quickly get out of hand.
When it comes to magnolias, the DD Blanchard hits the sweet spot – growing quickly enough to attain impressive proportions in a reasonable timeframe, but not so fast as to become a high-maintenance nuisance.
Caring for Your DD Blanchard Magnolia
To support healthy growth, DD Blanchard magnolias require a few basic care practices:
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Watering – Give trees thorough, deep watering 2-3 times per week during the first two years after planting. Mature trees are somewhat drought tolerant but appreciate occasional irrigation during very dry periods.
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Fertilization – Apply an acidic fertilizer high in phosphorus in early spring and again in midsummer. Look for camellia/azalea or tree & shrub formulas.
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Pruning – Prune only to remove dead branches or shape the canopy. Avoid heavy pruning which can reduce flower production.
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Pest control – Watch for common magnolia pests like scale insects, aphids and caterpillars. Use organic insecticidal soap as needed.
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Protection from cold – Safeguard young trees if temperatures plunge below 10°F. Mature magnolias withstand winter cold quite well.
With the right care, your DD Blanchard magnolia will grow steadily each year into a focal point of your landscape for decades to come.
Alternatives to the DD Blanchard Magnolia
While the DD Blanchard magnolia boasts many fine qualities, some gardeners seek alternatives that offer different growth rates, sizes or features:
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For a dwarf magnolia, Little Gem only reaches 10-15 feet tall.
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Alta magnolia grows faster, up to 80 feet tall.
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Bracken’s Brown Beauty has gorgeous purple-brown leaves.
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Star magnolia is a smaller, early-blooming deciduous species.
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Saucer magnolia has even larger flowers and a faster growth rate.
So while the DD Blanchard remains a favored choice, other magnolia varieties can fulfill specific needs or tastes.
The Bottom Line on DD Blanchard Magnolia Growth
In the magnolia family, the DD Blanchard hits a sweet spot with its steady, moderate growth rate. While not the speediest magnolia, its average progress of 1-2 feet per year allows it to develop into a commanding, full-sized tree within 20-30 years. Given proper care and growing conditions, a DD Blanchard magnolia will reach 15 feet after 10 years, eventually maturing at 40-60 feet tall and 20-35 feet wide. This manageable growth pace is one of many attributes that make the DD Blanchard magnolia a treasured centerpiece tree across the southern United States.
How Fast Do Southern Magnolia Trees Grow?
Although it’s bushy, a southern magnolia “D.D. Blanchard” is no shrub! This magnolia tree will grow to a mature height of 70 feet, reaching up into the canopy at a growth rate of about one to two feet per year. These grand trees can grow up to and over a hundred years, and as they mature, they produce a striking visual form unique to the southern magnolia.
Our Tree of the Month: The Southern Magnolia
Native to the Southeast, the southern magnolia is a beloved and iconic local plant. Tennessee is about as far north as the southern magnolia grows, so we shouldn’t be shy about planting these special trees around town!
Its scientific name, Magnolia grandiflora, refers to the tree’s large flowers. The “D.D. Blanchard” cultivar produces the particular waxy, emerald green leaves with a coppery underside that can be found on these bushy trees. The leaves are evergreen and remain on the tree year-round. The dense foliage of a southern magnolia can provide shade and privacy when planted in front of a window or in a row along the property’s edge. While the foliage grows right down to the base naturally, southern magnolias can be trimmed to expose the lower trunk to take the shape of a tree (there is an adage that a tree is a shrub that you can walk under!).
As a native tree, southern magnolias provide important habitats for local wildlife. The big flowers produce pollen and nectar that attract bees, other insects, and hummingbirds, who pollinate other trees and flowers across the area. These trees are also a food source and place of shelter for squirrels, opossums, cardinals, mockingbirds, and other tree-dwellers who rely on the magnolia’s fall seeds and year-round cover for safety and sustenance.
Southern magnolia trees don’t produce fruit; instead, they make cone-like structures that put out bright red seeds. Magnolia trees aren’t coniferous! Trees that produce true cones don’t have flowers because their pollen is contained in the cone. The southern magnolia’s seed pods emerge in late summer, and the seeds drop and are eaten over fall.
In addition to providing beauty and ecosystem services to the landscape, the versatile southern magnolia tree can also handle urban and suburban environments! The southern magnolia likes full sun but can tolerate some shade, it’s adaptable to almost any soil type, and, being a southeastern native, it can withstand both flooding and drought.
Trees of Winter: DD Blanchard Magnolia
FAQ
How fast do DD Blanchard magnolia trees grow?
DD Blanchard Magnolia Size
The DD Blanchard Magnolia growth rate is fast-growing and can grow up to 50 to 60 feet tall at maturity. The Magnolia Grandiflora growth rate per year is up 1 to 2 feet per year.
What is the difference between Southern Magnolia and dd blanchard magnolia?
The Southern magnolia produces large flowers and takes a long time to grow. The Blanchard magnolia produces smaller flowers with leaves that have a rust colored velvet texture on the underside. Both are great trees.
What’s the fastest growing magnolia tree?
Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)
Star Magnolias can grow up to 2 feet per year under optimal conditions, making them a favorite for those looking to add a touch of beauty to their garden without a long wait.
How big do DD Blanchard magnolias get?
The DD Blanchard Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘D.D. Blanchard’) is a large, evergreen tree, typically reaching 40-60 feet in height and 30-40 feet in width. It is known for its large, glossy, dark green leaves with a rusty-brown underside, and its fragrant, white flowers.