Enjoying Star Magnolia Flowers: How to Care for a Star Magnolia Tree
The star magnolia’s grace and beauty herald the arrival of spring. The star magnolia tree is a popular choice for a focal tree for early spring color because of its intricate and colorful flowers, which appear weeks before other spring flowering shrubs and plants.
A Star Magnolia: What Is It?
Native to Japan, the star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) is a small tree or large shrub. With low branches and extremely closely spaced stems, the habit is oval. Numerous cultivars are available, including Royal Star, which matures at 20 feet (6 meters) and features pink buds with white flowers; Centennial, which reaches a height of 25 feet (8 meters) and features white flowers with a pink tinge; and Rosea, which has pink flowers that fade to white. Every cultivar is as beloved for its fragrance as well as its attractive form and seductive flowers.
Expanding Star Magnolia Plants
USDA planting zones 5 through 8 are ideal for star magnolia tree growth. Getting a soil sample before planting is usually a good idea because they thrive in slightly acidic soil.
For best results, choose well-draining soil in a sunny spot—or partially sunny spot in hot climates. Even though the tree thrives in a small area, give it plenty of space to grow. It functions best in an empty space.
Buying a young, healthy tree that is balled or burlapped is the best way to plant this flowering beauty, just like with other types of magnolia trees. Verify that the tree is healthy and free of damage.
The planting hole needs to be at least three times as deep and as wide as the root ball or container. The root ball should be level with the ground when it is inserted into the hole. Before adding back half of the dirt you removed from the hole, make sure the tree is upright. After adding water to the hole, let the root ball absorb the moisture. Using the leftover dirt, backfill the hole.
Magnolia Star Care
After planting, taking care of a star magnolia tree is not very hard. A top dress layer of mulch, added at a depth of 3 inches (8 cm), will help retain moisture and deter weed growth.
In late winter, a few inches (5 cm) of compost will promote abundant blooms. In dry spells, water the tree and, if necessary, trim off any dead or damaged branches only after the tree has flowered.
