‘Centennial’ Star Magnolia

Magnolia stellata ‘Centennial’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-9b (Zone 4?) Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Flowering Large Shrub or Small Tree

Height at Maturity: 15-20′

Width at Maturity: 15-20′

Spacing: 22’+ for space between trees

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Rounded

Flower Color: White with Pink

Flower Size: 4″

Flowering Period: Early Spring

Flower Type: Semi-double

Fragrant Flowers: Yes

Foliage Color: Green to Dark Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade or Filtered Sun, Morning Shade with Evening Sun

Water Needs: Average

Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist

Soil pH: 4.5 – 6.0 (Acid to Moderately Acid)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer, Disease, Heat, Insect

Description

Winner of the Garden Merit Award from the Royal Horticultural Society and the Gold Medal Award from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the ‘Centennial’ Star Magnolia has larger and more showy flowers than the species. Before new leaves emerge in spring, the gorgeous, waterlily-shape, deliciously fragrant, double flowers are are perched atop almost every stem on the tree. Each 5.5-inch diameter flower has from 28 to 33 white petals flushed in pink. A stunningly beautiful sight to behold in bloom and a highly attractive small tree the rest of the year. All grown up, Centennial reaches 15 to 20 feet tall and wide over time.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing upright to 15 to 20 feet tall and equally as wide, the Centennial Star Magnolia is ideal for use as a large shrub or small tree in sunny to partially shaded landscape and woodland borders, or to frame corners of a tall home or other buildings. As she grows, lower branches can be removed to form a highly attractive and colorful small tree. A fine addition to white theme gardens, fragrance gardens and cottage gardens.

Growing Preferences

Centennial Star Magnolia is easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained acidic soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. She prefers full sun for best flowering, however will handle some partial shade. In the South, some filtered sun during the hottest mid-afternoon hours of summer will be appreciated. Avoid constantly soggy or wet soils. In alkaline soils, apply soil sulfur and/or chelated iron to increase acidity. Pruning usually isn’t necessary, however stray or damaged branches can be pruned immediately after flowering in spring. Feed after flowering in spring with a mild organic plant food or a well-balanced shrub and tree food containing iron or sulfur.

Helpful Articles

Click on the link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, prune, feed and water Star Magnolia trees.

How To Plant & Care For Tulip & Star Magnolias

Plant Long & Prosper!

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I was so happy that this tree arrived in such great shape. Fastest shipping from any place I’ve ordered from! And the packaging kept it in great shape the whole way, plus it was a bargain for such a large specimen. Definitely ordering from you again!——————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Oh I purchased two of the Centennial Magnolias in gallon pots. They both arrived healthy and after a few weeks are both showing new growth. I am anxious to get them in the ground soon and with advice from Wilson brothers gardens I will be adding the root stimulator to each one as well as other plants that I have bought from their nursery. I have been very pleased with the four other plants that I purchased from them.———————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Tree arrived healthy, alive, and ready to plant!———————————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG