Deciduous And Flowering Trees
Royal Star magnolia
Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star'
Royal Star magnolia makes an early garden feature with fragrant white flowers and many narrow, star-like petals. Its dense, rounded framework develops into a substantial shrub or small tree, roughly 10 to 20 feet tall and 8 to 15 feet wide. Place it near an entrance or patio where the spring display can be enjoyed, but avoid frost pockets and harsh wind that can damage flowers. Sun to partial shade and moist, organic, well-drained soil suit it well. In Southwest Washington, mulch the shallow roots and water during dry spells. Shape lightly after flowering only when needed.
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Star Magnolia Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star' Bud.jpg
Photo by and (c)2016 Derek Ramsey ( Ram-Man )
CC BY-SA 4.0 · Web-optimized
At a glance
- Mature height
- 10–20 ft
- Mature spread
- 8–15 ft
- Light
- Sun to partial shade
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 4–8
The right plant, the right place
Make room for something good.
Royal Star suits an entry, patio, or shrub border where its fragrant flowers can be seen nearby. It develops into a rounded, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with a broad framework.
Where to plant
Allow 8–15 feet for its spread and choose sun or partial shade. Avoid frost pockets and harsh wind, which can damage the early flowers even when the tree itself remains healthy.
Through the seasons
Pale buds open to fragrant white flowers in early spring. Frost can brown the flowers and shorten the display.
Southwest Washington gardens
Give it a good start.
Early flowers are vulnerable to cold spring weather in maritime gardens. A sheltered position helps, while mulch and summer watering protect the shallow roots during the dry season.
Soil, drainage & water
Moist, organically rich, acidic to neutral soil is suitable, provided it drains freely. Mulch the shallow root area and check moisture through dry spells, especially after planting.
A little care goes a long way
Growing well, season after season.
Prune lightly after flowering only where shaping or removal of dead wood is needed. Retain the rounded framework and maintain mulch and dry-season watering around the roots.
Know what to look for
Common growing concerns.
Symptoms can have more than one cause. These notes are a starting point for observing your plant and improving its growing conditions.
Frost-damaged flowers
Buds or petals may brown and collapse after freezing weather.
Help your plant thrive
Choose a sheltered position outside a frost pocket. Flowering varies with spring weather, even on an otherwise healthy tree.
Scale insects
Scale on stems may be accompanied by sticky leaves and dark sooty mold.
Help your plant thrive
Inspect stems and leaf surfaces to identify the insect. Choose control based on the diagnosis rather than treating the mold alone.
A little more inspiration
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CC BY-SA 2.0 · Web-optimized
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