Star Magnolia (Magnolia Stellata)
Fundamental Facts
HARDINESS: Zones 4 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Fertile, moist, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun or light shade
ATTRIBUTES: Starlike while or pink flowers, shrubby habit; for specimen, borders
SEASON OF INTEREST: Early spring to foil
FAVORITES: M. stellata 'Royal Star', 'Centennial', "Waterlily', 'Dawn', 'Rose King'
QUIRKS: Flowers appear early in spring and may be damaged by frost
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Broadleaf and needle evergreens, spring bulbs, other small magnolias
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Fertile, well-drained, acid soil in a site protected from wind
LONGEVITY: Lives many years
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Decay following winter damaged or wind-lorn branches
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: To 15 ft (4.6 m) tall and wide
Star Magnolia in the Landscape
A classic harbinger of spring, star magnolia blooms early in the season and, unlike some of its fellows, early in its life. Even plants that are only a few years old unfold their white or pink flowers, with up to 18 petals arranged in a loose star shape. They emerge on bare branches, before the shiny, deep-green, oblong leaves appear, during the last gasp of winter. The flowers look stunning when viewed in bright light against a dark background of pines, junipers, or broadleaf evergreens. These trees are also impressive when they are skirted with spring-flowering bulbs.
Seldom more than 15 ft (4.6 m) tall and wide, star magnolia is a tree that fits easily into almost any size of yard. It is small enough to plant near driveways and entryways, in foundation plantings, and at the back of shrub borders. In cold climates, protect the buds by siting star magnolias on the north or east side of a wall, fence, or building, so that the flowers open more slowly and are less likely to be damaged by frost.
Several cultivars are available. 'Centennial' has up to 3 2 white petals in each flower. 'Royal Star', with up to 30 white petals, is a vigorous tree that blooms about 10 days later than other magnolias, which is an asset in colder locations where frosts may threaten the blossoms. 'Waterlily' has especially fragrant white blossoms with long, slender petals. 'Rose King', 'Dawn', and 'Rubra' all have pink flowers that sometimes fade to white.
Other Care-Free Magnolias
Several other small, equally hardy magnolias can stand in for or join a grouping of star magnolias. Growing quickly to 30 ft (9.1 m) in height and width, Loebner magnolia (Magnolia x loebneri) has fragrant starlike flowers with fewer petals than star magnohas, and blooms later, making it a better choice in cold areas. 'Merrill' and 'Ballerina' are excellent white-flowered varieties, while 'Leonard Messel' has pastel lilac-pink blossoms.
Small magnohas with goblet-shaped flowers include Yulan magnolia (Magnolia denudata), which grows to 40 ft (12 m), but it has a graceful presence in the landscape, and produces large, fragrant white blossoms. 'Elizabeth' is famous for its copper-tinged leaves and fragrant flower goblets of primrose yellow. It blooms in midspring and is hardy to Zone 6. 'Butterflies' is similar, but has double yellow flowers and is hardy to Zone 4. 'Galaxy', 'Betty', and 'Heaven Scent' are hybrids with pink flowers.
Growing Star Magnolia
Star magnolias have tender roots that do not respond well if transplanted in fall. Plant them in early spring, taking care to keep the soil ball intact. Provide water during droughts until they are well established. Cover the root zone year-round with a 3 in (7.6 cm) thick layer of organic mulch.
Frosts that ruins blossoms just as they open in spring are star magnolia's biggest problem.They can also experience decay around pruning wounds and winter-damaged tissue in spring. Prune only to remove dam-
aged limbs and to balance the canopy, and do the job in late winter, while the plants are still dormant.