Magnolia stellata, star magnolia
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Magnolia stellata

star magnolia

Magnoliaceae

Mountains of Honshu, Japan; moist humus-rich woodland soils at mid-elevations

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitMounding
FoliageDeciduous
Height10–15 feet (3–4.5 m)
Width10–15 feet (3–4.5 m)
Maturity17 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Fragrant (light)
Maintenancelow

Overview

A slow-growing deciduous shrub or small tree reaching 10–15 feet (3–4.5 m) tall and wide, valued as one of the earliest-flowering woody plants in Pacific Northwest gardens. Star-shaped white flowers with 12–18 narrow strap-like petals, 3–4 inches (7.5–10 cm) across, mildly fragrant, borne on bare branches in late February–March before leaves emerge. Early bloom is spectacular but vulnerable to late frost — petals brown without harming the plant. Leaves dark green, oblong to elliptic, turning yellow-bronze in fall. Slow-growing; reaching mature size takes 15–20 years. Hardy in USDA zones 4–8.

Native Range

Magnolia stellata is native to the mountains of Honshu, Japan, growing in moist, humus-rich woodland soils. Some botanists classify it as a variety of M. kobus rather than a distinct species. Introduced to Western horticulture in the late 19th century and widely used in breeding dwarf magnolia cultivars.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen, foundation shrub, or small multi-stemmed tree at 10–15 foot (3–4.5 m) spacing. The spectacular late-winter flower display — on bare branches before almost anything else is in bloom — makes it one of the most valued small woody plants for Pacific Northwest gardens. Effective sited against a dark evergreen backdrop or south-facing wall. Cultivars Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star' (double white, later-blooming) and Magnolia stellata 'Waterlily' (pale pink buds) extend the season.

How to Identify

Identified by the star-shaped flowers with 12–18 (or more in double cultivars) narrow strap-like white to pale pink petals, 3–4 inches (7.5–10 cm) across, borne on bare branches in late February–March. Compact multi-stemmed shrubby habit. Smooth gray-brown bark. Distinguished from M. soulangeana by the many more narrow petals (vs. 6–9 broad tulip-like tepals), smaller plant size, and earlier bloom; from M. kobus by the smaller shrubby multi-stemmed habit.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 15'
Width/Spread10' - 15'

Reaches mature size in approximately 17 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow
bronze

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Blooms late February through March — one of the earliest flowering woody plants in Pacific Northwest gardens. Flowers 3–4 inches (7.5–10 cm) across, star-shaped, mildly fragrant, in great profusion on bare branches. Display lasts 2–3 weeks. Early-blooming flowers are vulnerable to late frost — petals brown but the plant is unharmed. Siting against a south-facing wall or in a sheltered spot reduces frost risk.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Star-shaped, 3–4 inches (7.5–10 cm) across, with 12–18 narrow strap-like white petals; mildly fragrant; borne on bare branches before leaves emerge

Foliage Description

Dark green, oblong to elliptic, 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long; emerging after flowers; turning yellow-bronze in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loam
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15–20 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic, humus-rich soil (pH 5.5–6.5). Water regularly — magnolias dislike drought, especially when establishing. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and protect shallow fleshy roots. Avoid planting in frost pockets — early flowers are vulnerable to late frost damage. Slow-growing; reaching mature size takes 15–20 years.

Pruning

Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches immediately after flowering (April) to avoid removing next year's flower buds, which set in summer. Do not prune in late summer or fall. The naturally rounded multi-stemmed habit rarely requires shaping. Magnolia recovers poorly from heavy pruning.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic