Star Magnolia Provides a Bright Spot in the Early Spring Garden

What’s blooming in the Patch this week is the Magnolia Stellata, commonly known as the Star Magnolia, which can be either a small shrub or tree. 

The Star Magnolia is a small, deciduous tree that blooms early in the spring before the leaves appear.  The flowers are approximately three to four inches in diameter and are generally a messy, star shape with at least 12 to 30 thin, delicate “tepals.” The color can range from bright white to a rich pink, with a bunch of pale yellow stamens in the middle.

On a dark, rainy day, this tree is truly a spectacular sight, as the white flowers seem to glow.  They remain beautiful for about two weeks, and do not require any clean up as they fall. 

The leaves will begin to appear as a bronze green, but will change to a deep, shiny green as they mature and are about four inches long.  A good choice for the organic gardener,  the Star Magnolia does not attract insects, so it does not require spraying.

The Star Magnolia is starting to bloom around now and will continue to look lovely even as the flowers fade and the new leaves begin to grow (as a couple of the photos show).  It is really a slow-growing, carefree tree, needing little pruning to hold its shape.

Feed it organic fertilizer and provide adequate water. I really needs nothing else to remain beautiful.