Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Magnolia stellata
Star Magnolia
- Family
- Magnoliaceae
- Height
- 15 to 20 feet
- Width
- 10 to 15 feet
- Flower color
- White star shaped flowers with narrow petals, often lightly fragrant
- Foliage color
- Medium green oblong leaves often turning yellow to bronze in fall
- Bloom time
- Late winter to early spring
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Average
- Maintenance
- Low; prune only if needed after flowering to maintain shape and remove damaged branches
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 8
- Wildlife
- Bees and other early season pollinating insects
About this plant
Magnolia stellata produces fragrant white flowers in late winter to early spring, each bloom opening with many slender petals arranged in a star-like form around pale yellow stamens. The blossoms appear along bare branches before the foliage emerges, bringing delicate seasonal color at the close of winter. After flowering, narrow oval leaves unfold in fresh green tones and create a soft canopy through the growing season.
Native to Japan, Magnolia stellata grows naturally in woodland areas and forest margins. In gardens it brings early seasonal interest to borders and specimen plantings where the graceful flowers brighten the landscape before many other shrubs and trees begin blooming.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Pathways & Walkways · Borders · Pollinator Gardens
Companion plants
Yarrow · Oregon grape · Coreopsis · Blanket flower · Phlox · Bulgarian honey garlic
Design tip
Give star magnolia a prominent position where its bare branches and early white flowers can be viewed from a window, entryway, or frequently used path. Use darker evergreen foliage behind it to provide contrast and make the white, star-shaped blooms stand out during the sparse late-winter garden.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Washington Park Arboretum.
