Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)
[mag-NO-lee-ah stel-LAY-tah]

Deciduous Perennial Tree in the Magnoliaceae Family
One of the very first blooms of spring.
Star Magnolia is a slow-growing, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree best known for being one of the very first things to bloom in spring, often weeks before its own leaves emerge. In March and April, bare branches fill with fragrant, star-shaped white flowers made up of a dozen or more narrow, strap-like petals, giving the whole plant a soft, frothy look. Dark green summer foliage turns yellow to bronze in fall. It does best in full sun to light shade, in consistently moist, well-drained soil, and in a site sheltered from harsh wind -- though not from a warm south-facing wall, which can coax the flower buds open too early.

Pros

  • Blooms earlier than almost anything else in the garden
  • Fragrant flowers
  • Compact, slow growth suits smaller spaces
  • Attractive fall color

Cons

  • Early flowers are easily damaged by a late spring frost
  • Dislikes dry soil, high winds, and urban pollution
  • Fleshy roots resent disturbance, so transplant with care
Highlights Among the earliest-flowering trees of spring, often blooming before forsythia. Fragrant, star-shaped white flowers with a dozen or more narrow petals. Naturally slow-growing and multi-stemmed, staying compact enough for smaller yards. Good yellow-to-bronze fall color.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 15 - 20 feet tall. 10 - 15 feet wide.
Growth Rate Slow
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Deciduous, Fall Color, Flowering Tree, Foundation, Fragrant, Full Sun, Good for Hedges, Medium, Medium, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Showy Flowers, Specimen, Woodland Garden
Bloom Period March - April (First Bloom: 83 GDD, Full Bloom: 151 GDD)
Flower Color White
 

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Commonly Planted with...

Underplant with spring bulbs or early-season perennials like hellebores and pulmonaria that won't compete with its still-bare branches for attention.

Photos of This with...

Boxwood, Burning Bush, Forsythia, Black Walnut, Dwarf Pfitzer Juniper, Royal Star Star Magnolia, Daffodil, Split-Cupped Daffodil, Hicks Yew, Periwinkle,
 
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Pricing and Availability History

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!