World Plants

Magnolia stellata (Star Magnolia)

Michael's Opinion

This is a magnificent shrub/small tree that can be planted in any landscape. Small and bushy making it ideal for limited spaces, but can reach heights of 7 m if cared for properly. Such a beautiful display in spring of bursting white flowers will compliment and define any garden or landscape. There are different cultivars of stellata, making it easy to find one that suits your needs and wants.

Botanical Information

Family	Magnoliaceae
Genus	Magnolia
Species	stellata
Synonyms	Magnolia kobus var. stellata
Category	Woody
Type	Shrub (deciduous)
Origin	The genus Magnolia is named after Pierre Magnol, a French botanist who lived from 1638 to 1715. Native to the southern mountains of Honshu, Japan, it was introduced to United States of America in the 1860’s.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone	4 - 8
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone	5- 8a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Zone	H7 - H4
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)	-15
Temperature (°F)	(-25) - 20
Height	4.5 - 6 m
Spread	4.5 - 6 m
Growth	Slow
Flowering Period	March

Description and Growing Information

General Description	Single or multi-stemmed densely branched plant with a broad crown. Slow growing, small in size. White flowers emerge before leaves in spring. Flowers have 5-20 white tepals and form a star shape. Fruit in early autumn are red/green and hold red seeds. With an estimated 5 locations and distribution area of 1,854 km, this species has been placed on the IUCN Red List as endangered.
ID Characteristic	Produces a pure white flower that forms before leaves in the spring. Smaller leaves and of a slighter stature when compared to the Common Saucer Magnolia.
Shape	Often multi-stemmed, oval or rounded crown. Compact, spreading or bushy shrub/tree.
Landscape	Great for small spaces and is easy to maintain. Beautiful accent plant or single specimen for maximum display purposes. Many different cultivars to choose from to suit your needs.
Propagation	Use fresh seed when germinating. Seeds need a period of cool stratification and proper handling. If propagating from cuttings, collect after flower buds have formed in mid-spring. Grafted plants increase at the fastest rate.
Cultivation	Magnolias require fertile well-drained soil. Flowers are damaged by frost and or wind so plant under shelter in full/partial sun. Prune out dead limbs and shape in late summer. Mulch annually.
Pests	Magnolia root borer (Euzophera magnolialis) may cause problems in nurseries, but rarely in the landscape. Magnolia scale can also be a common issue.
Notable Specimens	Mac Cuddy Botanic Garden, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada. University of British Columbia Botanical Garden, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Habitat	Lowland hills, valleys and riverbeds at an altitude of 60-550 m.
Bark/Stem Description	Smooth, silver and grey on mature plants, chestnut brown on young branches.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description	Densely fuzzy 1-1.5 cm long flower buds and smaller vegetative buds are greyish green in colour and grow alternately along the branch.
Leaf Description	Alternate, sometimes whorled at the terminal, simple, broadly oval to oblong, 4.5-10 cm long and half the width, dark green above and light green beneath with fine hairs, 7-9 mm long petiole.
Flower Description	Faintly aromatic, pure white, 7.5-10 cm wide, 5 to 20 tepals, 3-4 cm long, slender and wavy. Flowers form before leaves which can get late frost damage if not grown in a protected area. Staggered blooming period in early spring.
Fruit Description	Reddish-green, knobby aggregate fruit , about 5 cm long. Often drops before fully developed. Fruit mature and open in autumn. Mature fruit opens at slits to reveal red-orange seeds.
Colour Description	Medium to dark green in the summer, turning to yellow / bronze in early autumn.
Texture Description	Fine, fern like texture.