Starry magnolia

Starry magnolia

Have you ever had a chance to see a Starry magnolia flowering? Not me yet, although I hope one day to be able to see it in situ, and not in images on the Internet. And the beauty of this plant is undeniable, especially when its petals appear during spring.

What makes it even more interesting is its size: ideal for all types of gardens, large, medium or small. And it is that although at first we might think that it is a tree, it is actually a bush 😉. Discover it.

Origin and characteristics

View of the Magnolia stellata

Image - Wikimedia / KENPEI

It is a deciduous shrub native to Japan whose scientific name is Starry magnolia, popularly known as star magnolia. Reaches a maximum height of 3m, and has a more or less rounded crown formed by simple, alternate, rounded leaves, 4 to 13cm long, with a dark green front and a lighter green back.

The flowers are aromatic and solitary, are star-shaped and are composed of 12-18 (sometimes 33) internal tepals 4-7cm in length, white, or pink in color. M. stellata 'Rosea'. They sprout before the leaves.

What are their cares?

Magnolia stellata 'Rosea'

M. stellata 'Rosea'

If you dare to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:

  • Climate: warm-cold. It needs mild summers (no more than 30ºC maximum) and winters with frost.
  • Location: the Magnolia stellata must be outside, in semi-shade.
  • Earth: acidic (pH between 4 and 6), with good drainage.
    • Flowerpot:
      • If the weather is good, it can be planted with a growing medium for acidic plants.
      • If the climate is NOT good (like the Mediterranean) it is better to use akadama mixed with 30% kiryuzuna.
    • Garden: fertile.
  • Irrigation: 3-4 times a week in summer, somewhat less the rest of the year. Use rainwater, lime-free or acidified.
  • Subscriber: in spring and summer, with fertilizers for acid plants following the indications specified on the packaging.
  • Multiplication: by seeds.
  • Rusticity: it resists cold and frosts down to -18ºC, but cannot live in tropical climates.

What did you think of this plant?


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