Magnolia stellata – Multi Stem

One of the most popular members of the ancient tribe of Magnolia trees, Magnolia stellata fits perfectly into gardens whether these are small and urban or sweeping parks and woodlands. It is a species that is native to Honshu in Japan, originally from wooded and damp areas around Nagoya but it has been grown in the UK since 1877. 

This lovely and hardy plant grows as an open shrub, rarely getting taller than a couple of metres. As a youngster, growth is more upright, but in its middle years the Star Magnolia can spread to form a shrub 3 or 4 metres across, which is worth noting, as there are more than a few small front gardens I have seen that have been overwhelmed by a mature specimen. In early spring, before the leaves emerge, this plant really earns its keep when it is smothered in masses of lightly scented, spreading star shaped flowers. These are a clean, pure white but with an occasional delicate pink flush, and between 12 and 20 petal-like tepals. The new foliage is bronzy as it emerges, maturing to a mid-green, before turning a butter yellow in the autumn. 

Magnolia stellata grows naturally in moist and sheltered places, so thrives in our gardens in full sun to dappled shade, but it is best protected from the cold northerly winds. It will grow well on any soil except chalk. The plants have thick, fleshy, but shallow rooting systems so try to avoid the plant drying out too much and it is well worth applying a deep humus-rich mulch. It rarely needs pruning, only the removal of crossing, dead, damaged or diseased growth.