The star magnolia is one of the best magnolias – especially for use on the small landscape property. Its early spring flowers, dense habit of growth and unmarred dark green foliage throughout the growing season, climaxed by a beautiful bronze autumn color, make it of ornamental interest every season of the year. It is the hardiest and smallest of all the magnolias and is easily one of those small trees that might well be given preference on small properties.
Like many another valued ornamental, this plant came to us from Japan where it is at home in the woods around Mount Fujiyama. In fact, it has been growing in this country since 1861 when Dr. George R. Hall, a physician from Bristol, Rhode Island, first sent it home while on a visit to Japan. The plant prospered and since it is easily propagated by seeds, is now widely grown. Although the flowers are not as large as those of some other Asiatic magnolias, like the common saucer magnolia, and even some of our own American natives, like the bull bay magnolia of the South, the fragrance and profuseness of its flowers have earned it an important place in many an American garden.
Beautiful White Star Shaped Flowers
The beautiful white flowers are at least three inches in diameter, with 12 to 15 petals, which are star shaped—giving rise to the common name. They appear before the foliage buds open, so that the general effect of this tree, like so many of the other Asiatic magnolias, is one of full flower—without foliage at blossomtime. When the shadblows, forsythias and early flowering Japanese cherries bloom one can look for the star magnolia to flower also, usually sometime in April in the northern United States. Fortunately plants only a foot or so high will bear flowers, whereas some other magnolias like Magnolia kobus may not bloom until they are sturdy trees 20 years old! The large fuzzy flower buds are prominent all winter.
One point should be made about this early bloom, however, and that is that this tree should not be planted in a situation where it is forced into flower too early. Situations with southern exposures or warm walls would be undesirable for then the flowers might be forced to open too early only to be killed by a late freeze. A northern exposure or a slightly shaded situation should be preferred so that the flower buds are retarded in early spring, thus eliminating partially at least, the possibility of premature flowering.
All magnolias have rather fleshy roots and so are rather difficult to transplant. As a result, it is always necessary to transplant them.with a ball of soil about the roots and it is usually safer to do this in spring than in the fall in many areas. This should not deter anyone from planting them however, for commercial nurseries are well accustomed to handling these plants and know how to dig and transport them properly.
Today, with more and more of the modern homes only one story in height, there is no need to plant trees that eventually grow to be 100-foot giants. Small trees are most valued—trees that do not grow over 30 feet high. The star magnolia is definitely within this limit for very few in America are over 20 feet high, even 50- and 60-year-old plants. It grows slowly, often becoming shrub-like with many irregular branches from the base. This characteristic can be encouraged when desired, for such a plant usually becomes very dense. On the other hand, if a regular tree with a single trunk is wanted, a little judicious pruning will easily keep the plant in normal tree form.
Rich Yellowish Bronze Foliage
The foliage of many magnolias does not turn a vivid autumn color, for usually the leaves either drop off while still greenish or else turn brown quickly. This is not true with the star magnolia, especially when it is planted with a western exposure. Under such circumstances, the foliage usually turns a rich yellowish bronze late in the fall, making the entire plant quite an asset in the garden.
Deep rich soil, plenty of moisture and sunlight are prerequisites for good growth of most magnolias and this is no exception. If planted in the shade. the tree does not develop its desirable dense form and very few flowers are produced. In full sun and rich soil, however, it can be depended upon to grow densely shrubby and to produce a splendid crop of early spring flowers..It makes a splendid specimen – much too beautiful to be forced into a small space as a part of some shrub border. This is one of the “low maintenance” plants that should be stressed more and more for use in our small gardens. It is not bothered by any serious disease pests and is one of the magnolias least susceptible to magnolia scale, which so often troubles the saucer magnolia varieties. As far as I know, the splendid plants growing in the Arnold Arboretum have never been sprayed during the past 50 years.
The star magnolia is one of the hardiest of the entire group of magnolias. and is certainly the first one to consider in northern plantings for this reason alone.
