Easy guide to growing stunning star magnolia

A classic harbinger of spring, star magnolia blooms early in the season and, unlike some other magnolias, early in its life. Follow these guidelines to get this low-maintenance favourite growing in your garden.

• Seldom more than 4.5 metres (15 feet) tall and wide, star magnolia is a tree that fits easily into almost any size of yard
• It is small enough to plant near driveways and entryways, in foundation plantings, and at the back of shrub borders
• In cold climates, protect the buds by siting star magnolias on the north or east side of a wall, fence, or building, so that the flowers open more slowly and are less likely to be damaged by frost
• At the limits of hardiness, they are often grown as shrubs

Several cultivars are available:

• 'Centennial' has up to 32 white petals in each flower
• 'Royal Star', with up to 30 white petals, is a vigorous tree that blooms about 10 days later than other magnolias, which is an asset in colder locations where frosts may threaten the blossoms
• 'Water lily' has especially fragrant white blossoms with long, slender petals
• 'Rose King', 'Dawn', and 'Rubra' all have pink flowers that sometimes fade to white

• Star magnolias have tender roots that do not respond well if transplanted in fall
• Plant them in early spring, taking care to keep the soil ball intact
• Provide water during droughts until they are well established
• Cover the root zone year-round with an eight-centimetre-thick (3.25-inch-thick) layer of organic mulch

• Frosts that ruins blossoms just as they open in spring are star magnolia's biggest problem
• They can also experience decay around pruning wounds and winter-damaged tissue in spring
• Prune only to remove damaged limbs and to balance the canopy, and do the job in late winter, while the plants are still dormant

Several other small, equally hardy magnolias can stand in for or join a grouping of star magnolias.

• Growing quickly to nine metres (30 feet) in height and width, Loebner magnolia (Magnolia × loebneri) has fragrant star-like flowers with fewer petals than star magnolias, and blooms later, making it a better choice in cold areas
• 'Merrill' and 'Ballerina' are excellent white-flowered varieties
• 'Leonard Messel' has pastel lilac-pink blossoms
• Yulan magnolia (Magnolia denudata) are small with goblet-shaped flowers. They grow to 12 metres (40 feet), but have a graceful presence in the landscape, and produce large, fragrant white blossoms
• 'Elizabeth' is famous for its copper-tinged leaves and fragrant flower goblets of primrose yellow. It blooms in midspring and is hardy to Zone 6
• 'Butterflies' is similar, but has double yellow flowers and is hardy to Zone 5
• 'Galaxy', 'Betty', and 'Heaven Scent' are hybrids with pink flowers

Star magnolia blooms look stunning when viewed in bright light against a dark background of pines, junipers, or broadleaf evergreens. See for yourself how they brighten your spring garden by following these simple planting and care guidelines.