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Shrubs

Magnolia stellata f. keiskei

star magnolia

A slow-growing mid-sized deciduous shrub, with a densely bushy habit and narrowly oval-shaped green leaves. Fragrant flowers, with narrowly oblong, spreading white petals flushed with lilac pink on the outsides, are produced on bare stems before the leaves in spring

Synonyms

Magnolia stellata f. keiskei double-flowered

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Chalk

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Magnoliaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Spreading branched
Genus: Magnolia can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs, with large, showy, often fragrant flowers, often opening before the leaves, and sometimes followed by colourful cone-like fruit
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil, though this species will tolerate slightly alkaline soils as long as they are not too dry. Position in full sun or part shade with shelter from cold winds. Late frosts may damage flower buds. See magnolia cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Minimal pruning required, see pruning group 1. Deciduous magnolias should only be pruned between midsummer and early autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects, horse chestnut scale and capsid bug

Diseases

May be susceptible to coral spot, phytophthora, grey moulds, honey fungus, a virus or fungal leaf spot

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