Royal Star Magnolia

Magnolia stellata ‘Royal Star’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Flowering Large Shrub or Small Tree

Height at Maturity: 15-20′

Width at Maturity: 10-15′

Spacing: 8-10′ for solid hedge; 16’+ for space between trees

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Rounded

Flower Color: White

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

‘Royal Star’ Magnolia has larger and more showy flowers than the species…and they’re fragrant! LOADS of pure white flowers are 4 inches across with 25 ribbon-like petals on each flower. Royal Star blooms about two weeks later than the species, in early spring, so the flowers are less susceptible to damage from a late frost. All grown up, this beauty might reach 15 to 20 feet tall with a spreading, rounded canopy to about 10 to 15 feet wide. We’ve seen no problems with pests or diseases.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing upright to 15 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide, the Royal Star Magnolia is ideal for use as a large specimen 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

Royal 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

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