The tree almost appears to be covered with snow.
Looking up at another location, I saw a lovely specimen of my favorite plant...this week, a cultivar of Magnolia grandiflora (could be 'D. D. Blanchard' or one similar.) I love the glossy, leathery evergreen leaves with the cinnamon colored indumentum.
In spring and summer, the tree has beautiful fragrant white blossoms. Unlike most of the deciduous magnolias which cover themselves with bloom for a shorter period of time, this southern lady (the tree is also known as Southern Magnolia) puts forth a few blooms at a time over the entire growing season. Often thought of as a symbol of the southern states of the U.S. as it is native to that part of the country and a a prominent feature in their landscapes. I understand that one needn't have a veranda nor sip mint juleps to enjoy this tree. It may help to watch this video though.
In fall the blooms are followed by typical but interesting Magnolia cone-like structures. For an interesting blurb about the primitive magnolia family, click here.
So, fairly low maintenance, slow growing, beautiful foliage perfect for holiday decorating, enticingly fragrant flowers, interesting fruiting structure...What more could you ask for in a tree? I'm thinking that it's time for me to add one of these to my garden. The slow-growing part is attractive because I'll be dead by the time the tree has become big enough to be a problem. On the other hand, there are some smaller cultivars which might make more sense to select for my urban space.
For those of you in the south, is it o.k. for a Yankee to grow this? I've heard that you're still sore over that "War of Northern Aggression" (1861 - 1865) and I don't want to go rubbing salt on any wounds.
Joining with Loree at Danger garden in posting a favorite plant...this week.
Every little piece of lichen covered dead branch that falls to the ground, I pick up and save. I read the other day how to preserve lichens.
ReplyDelete'Little Gem' is the magnolia in my garden. It doubled in height in eleven years.
Lichen covered branches are beautiful! 'Little Gem' is a beautiful magnolia which I admire.
DeleteI pick up lots of lichen-covered branches here too, when they fall. They're so pretty. The Magnolia is gorgeous! I bet this is the one that explorers thought were growing on Magnolia Bluff north of Seattle, but they turned out to be Arbutus.
ReplyDeleteI should start finding/saving more lichen covered branches! Very well could be...
DeleteWe love Magnolia grandifloras, could happily have a collection of them if space permitted...
ReplyDeleteWe need much more space, don't we? Perhaps when you retire in Madiera...
DeleteYou have crazy lichen in the PNW! Our local lichen is more well behaved, as is our moss. I wonder if that is the magnolia species that my neighbor has? If so, I highly recommend it!
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine what it's like in the south where, in addition to lichen and moss, they have Spanish Moss hanging from the trees? There are very few magnolias that I don't love!
DeleteI was taking photos of a similar magnolia just yesterday. Oh how I love that brown and green combo!
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike? Nah, must be a coincidence. That is a winning color combo
DeleteFunny post. This particular Carol Burnett show must be as famous as the original movie. I like magnolias and enjoy them in other people's gardens, but their potential size is a deterrent. I think I'd better stick with the mint juleps for now.
ReplyDeleteI loved watching the Carol Burnett Show and miss all of those interesting variety shows that used to air. I hope you have an appropriate hoop skirt in which to sip mint juleps!
DeleteI love lichen covered branches and they look fabulous lit up at night Great shots of the fabulous Magnolia leaves too. And I learnt a new word. ' indumentum'. You dropped that in so casually. I had to look it up. I can' t wait to use it.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that a fun word. I learned it because we have so many rhododendrons that grow well here that have fur on the bottom of the leaves and I'm always eager to learn what words on plant tags mean.
DeleteLove your lichen and your future planing is one with an interesting perspective. Magnolia's really are dramatically beautiful trees! Thanks for the reminder to look UP!
ReplyDeleteOf course if one looks up too much, he/she may trip over something and fall into a lovely lichen-covered branch. I've reached an age at which I can plant trees in locations too small for their eventual size and not have to worry about how big they might get in 50 years.
DeleteYummy magnolia. Those first shots would be right at home in a Wes Craven movie...eerily beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWe have so many beautiful plants all around us in the PNW! Aren't we lucky?
DeleteYes, Magnolia grandiflora is a favorite tree in the South - especially when they are in other people's gardens. It is nearly impossible to grow anything underneath of a mature one, and no matter the time of year, they constantly drop plastic-like leaves which will not decompose.
ReplyDeleteHmm, maybe not the best choice for someone with very limited growing space. I'll encourage all my neighbors to plant them. Thanks for the heads up, Les!
DeleteI did not know that some magnolia's have cones! Peter, your such a wealth of knowledge!
ReplyDeleteWell I'm full of something...the interweb is a wealth of knowledge.
DeleteI love magnolias and I love Carol Burnett! I actually have two framed paintings of magnolias in my living room. I spent 10 yrs living in AR, MS, TX, and SC and love those trees. When the cones are full of red seeds, they excellent missiles.
ReplyDeleteI'm still too fascinated by the structure of the cones to use them as missiles but I bet they'd smack someone up side the head with a nice thunk and spray of seeds! I have a few of them sitting in a shallow bowl in the kitchen and they make me smile every time I see them.
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