Star Magnolia

{{{This post was written for my website A Southern Garden}}}

Size: 10’ – 15’ feet in height and spread
Leaves: 2” – 4” inch oblong, coarse and dense, much smaller than other magnolias
Flowers: White, sometimes pink tinged, star-shaped with thin petals
Growth Rate: Slow
Culture: Does best in partial sun in moist, acidic soils but is adaptable to a wide range of soil pHs

This delicate and fragile beauty blooms so early that it is often nipped by frosts which can be a frustrating experience. I once saw a spectacular specimen growing at a local dentist’s office and had to have one. I’ve had it now for twelve years and I’ve had those stunning shows maybe twice. I almost always get blooms but they may only last a few days before the cold get them. But on those occasions, when all the buds manage to open, it is a sight to behold. One year, during one of the rare fantastic displays, a passer-by stopped and asked me what kind of tree it was and went on to say that it was the prettiest tree he ever saw.

This is a small tree, unlike the popular traditional magnolia, and some might even refer to it as a large shrub. It is a slow grower with an oval and compact shape and will reach a height of anywhere from 10 -15 ft, maybe larger, depending on conditions. The leaves are small and dense and turn yellow in the fall. The flowers are fragrant and appear before the leaves do in late February and early March in my garden. It is a good tree for a courtyard or patio. If a sheltered spot is available, you might have more success with it.