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Key characteristics

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

Shrubs

Magnolia stellata

Star Magnolia

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.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Average

Bloom time

Late winter to early spring

Find this plant

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.