D.D. Blanchard Magnolia / Southern Magnolia

Scientific Name: Magnolia grandiflora ‘D.D. Blanchard’

Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade. It flowers best in full sun but can tolerate some light shade.

Height: Typically 40–50 ft. tall in Florida landscapes, with a spread of about 20–30 ft. when mature.

Growth Habit: Moderate-growing evergreen tree with a dense, upright pyramidal form, glossy dark green leaves, and attractive rusty-brown undersides. It produces large, fragrant white flowers.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 7–9; cold hardy throughout most of Florida; moderately drought tolerant once established; low to moderate salt tolerance and best protected from heavy direct coastal salt spray.

Maintenance Info: Low to moderate maintenance. Provide well-drained soil and regular watering during establishment. Lower limbs can be left for a full natural form or selectively pruned for clearance. Expect some leaf, cone, and flower petal drop throughout the year. Avoid planting too close to sidewalks, small patios, or tight spaces because of its mature size and surface roots.

Best Uses in the Landscape: Excellent as a specimen tree, privacy screen, evergreen backdrop, large front-yard tree, shade tree, driveway accent, or formal Southern-style landscape feature. Its dense evergreen foliage also makes it useful for screening and property-line plantings where space allows.

Plant Info: D.D. Blanchard Magnolia is a popular cultivar of Southern Magnolia, a tree native to the southeastern United States. It is known for its glossy leaves with rich coppery-brown undersides, large fragrant white flowers, and classic Southern appearance. This variety is often chosen for Florida landscapes because it has a strong upright form, year-round evergreen foliage, and a refined look that works well in both residential and commercial landscapes.