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Key characteristics

Family: Magnoliaceae
Height: 15 to 20 feet
Width: 10 to 15 feet
Flower color: White double star shaped flowers with numerous narrow petals, often lightly fragrant
Foliage color: Medium green oblong leaves, often turning yellow in fall
Bloom time: Early to mid spring, often March to April
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Average evenly moist well drained soil, prefers consistent moisture
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 'Double Star'

Double Star Magnolia

Magnolia stellata 'Double Star' produces full fragrant white flowers in early spring, each bloom opening with numerous slender petals that create a full star-shaped display around pale yellow stamens. The blossoms appear along bare branches before the foliage emerges, filling the plant with soft seasonal color. After flowering, oval green leaves unfold and form a neat canopy through the growing season.

This cultivated selection traces its heritage to Magnolia stellata native to Japan.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Average evenly moist well drained soil, prefers consistent moisture

Bloom time

Early to mid spring, often March to April

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Courtyards
Borders
Pollinator Gardens

Companion plants

Boxwoods · Dwarf Korean fir · Bergenia · Maiden grass · Snowdrops · Agapanthus

Design tip

Give ‘Double Star’ a prominent position where its early spring display can serve as a seasonal focal point. Place darker evergreen shrubs behind or around it to provide contrast for the abundant white flowers, while leaving enough open space for its broad canopy to develop naturally.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)