Heavenly blossoms are the star with Magnolia Stellata

One of my favorite shrubs/small trees is the star magnolia.  I have two in my backyard and they are in their glory right now.  Both are loaded with white strappy-leafed white blossoms.  We have them up-lighted so they stand out at night.

 

The star magnolia or Magnolia stellata is a hardy, slow-growing, deciduous plant.  Magnolias are native toJapan and readily adaptable to our area.  The star magnolia makes an elegant specimen tree although the bloom period is less then a month long.   Unlike some other flowering trees, magnolias flower when young.

 

The stellata will eventually grow to fifteen to twenty feet in height.  The spread of the branches is generally ten to fifteen feet.  I like it’s widely spaced branching habit as it makes the shrub look light and airy.  It can do well with full sun to part shade, but it does not do well in an especially windy spot.  My two are situated on my little hillside and are in full sun with little protection from our windy locale.  They have both done well, although long periods of intense heat tend to brown the edges of the delicate leaves.  I’d have to say that if you have considered a Japanese maple, but are concerned about our wind desiccating the leaves, you may consider the stellata as a good second choice.

 

I live in Vacaville and therefore am blessed with clay soil.  You may be blessed in the same way.  The star magnolia likes moist, well-drained soil.  Although my soil would not normally qualify as well-drained, my magnolias don’t seem to mind.

 

The shrub is generally considered pest free and I’ve got to admit that I’ve never found aphids or scale to be an issue.   I’ve never found it necessary to apply any insecticide, fungicide, or fertilizer.  They are truly happy, healthy plants.  They appreciate regular watering.

 

Plant a star magnolia in a hole three times the width of the root ball.  If you want to add compost, the best way would be to amend the whole area and not just the planting hole.  This avoids creating a situation that acts as a “pot” in the ground where roots won’t travel beyond the hole.  The crown should be slightly above soil level.  The shrub is a surface rooter, so don’t use a hoe or rake vigorously beneath the tree.  Mulch will help retain moisture.

 

As mentioned above, the star magnolia is a deciduous shrub/tree.  In winter the silvery gray bark is attractive.  The white or pink flowers open on the leafless branches at the end of February.  The flowers are open and the petals are wavy.  They are delicate and fragrant.  The flowers develop at the tips of the branches so if you decide to prune this shrub definitely do so right after the blossoms fall.  This way the plant has late spring, summer, and fall for new buds to develop.   The leaves follow the flowers.  The leaves are a lime green when they first appear and then generally darken.  In autumn the leave turn brownish yellow before they fall.

 

There are numerous cultivars of the star magnolia.  Some cultivars such as ‘Royal Star’ and ‘Massey Rose’ are described as rounded shrubs.  Those cultivars such as ‘Rosea’, ‘Massey Rose’, and ‘Waterlily’ have flowers that open pink and slowly fade to white.

 

By Dottie Deems

Solano County Master Gardener

 

Resources:

“Cultivation of Magnolias”, www.herbs2000.com

“Star Magnolia” www.treehelp.com

Sunset Western Garden Book