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Star magnolia is a shrub that is characterized by abundant flowering and large, luxurious flowers that have a star shape. The plant is native to the Japanese island of Honshu. Due to the original shape of the crown and leaves, the star magnolia is considered one of the most beautiful species.
Description of star magnolia
Under natural conditions, star magnolia (Stellata) grows in the form of a low shrub with a lush crown, the height of which reaches 3 m. This is the smallest species of the magnolia genus. It is widely distributed in the humid climate of mountain forests. Thanks to its compact crown, small size and early flowering, the species quickly gained popularity not only in Europe but also abroad.
The leaves of the shrub are large (10-12 mm), fleshy, have an elongated-oval shape with a pointed or blunt top and a wedge-shaped base. The length of the petioles is 3-10 cm. The leaf blade is shiny.
The length of the buds is about 1 cm, the diameter is about 0,3 cm. A characteristic feature of the plant is the strong silky pubescence of young branches and buds, which then gradually become bare.
How the star magnolia blooms
A week before flowering, star magnolia begins to take on a decorative appearance. During this period, the volume of flower buds increases, and they themselves become pinkish and shed their protective shell.
The plant blooms, as a rule, in April, before the formation of leaves. Flowering lasts approximately three weeks. The flowers are star-shaped and are formed by 15-40 large ribbon-like petals. They have a bright, sweet aroma. The flowers are up to 12 cm in diameter.
After flowering, the shrub is covered with dark green leaves. The fruits are cylindrical modular leaflets, reaching a length of 5 – 6 cm. The plant begins to bear fruit in September. The cone-shaped fruits of star magnolia Stellata, as can be seen from the photo, resemble red-colored cucumbers in their appearance.
The best varieties of star magnolia
There are many different varieties of this plant, differing in appearance, flowering time and frost resistance. Below are the most popular varieties of star magnolia that can be grown in central Our Country.
Rosea
Magnolia star Rosea is a small deciduous shrub reaching a height of up to 2 m. Its crown is dense, branched, has a spherical or oval shape. It blooms with large pale pink flowers (up to 10 cm in diameter), consisting of 10-20 petals. The variety is winter-hardy, has a high decorative effect. In warm regions, flowering may begin a little earlier, in March.
Royal Star
Star magnolia Royal Star is the most popular and frost-resistant variety that can withstand temperatures up to 30 degrees below zero. The height of the bush can reach 3,5 m. Its flowers are large, wide, have a snow-white color, consist of 18 – 25 petals. Petals are arranged in two rows. The crown is round, spreading, densely branched. The leaves are most often light green, with a shiny leaf blade.
Waterlilies
Star-shaped magnolia Waterlily has a compact rounded crown, the height and width of which are about 2,5 – 3 m. Star-shaped flowers have a pale pink, almost white color, petals on them30. The buds are painted in a more saturated pink shade. The size of the flowers is 7 – 8 cm. The foliage is dark green. The winter hardiness of the star magnolia Waterlily is high, the plant can withstand temperatures up to 29 degrees below zero.
Doctor Massey
Dr. Massei is a shrub up to 2,5 m high. A distinctive feature of the variety is long and abundant flowering. Before opening, the buds are painted in a pinkish hue, which disappears over time, and the semi-double flowers become snow-white. The variety does well in temperate climates. Star magnolia (Stellata) Doctor Massei can be safely grown in the suburbs.
Jane Platt
Jane Platt is another charming magnolia variety that is very cold hardy. The star-shaped fragrant flowers are very large and can reach 20 cm in diameter. Multiple pale pink petals are arranged in 3-4 rows, which gives the buds a special splendor. Flowering is abundant and, like most varieties, begins in April and lasts about three weeks.
Methods of reproduction
There are several ways to propagate star magnolia:
- sowing seeds;
- cuttings;
- layering;
- vaccinations.
The plant is propagated by seeds very rarely, because this process takes too much time. Flowering star magnolia, grown from seeds, will begin only closer to the tenth year of life.
Vegetative propagation methods, such as cuttings and layering, are less labor intensive and show better results. Propagation by grafting is a rather complicated method that only experienced gardeners can handle.
Planting and caring for star magnolia
Star magnolia is a capricious plant that requires certain rules to be followed when planting and growing. This subtropical shrub feels comfortable growing in a temperate climate, but it does not tolerate severe frosts and summer heat. Subject to agricultural technology, even a beginner can handle planting and caring for star magnolia.
As companions for the plant, you can use hyacinths, daffodils or tulips. Star-shaped magnolia looks favorably against the background of evergreen trees. In group plantings, the shrub looks even more impressive.
Recommended dates
Star magnolia seedlings with a closed root system are recommended to be planted in a permanent place in late autumn. If this is done in the spring, over the summer the shrub will give a lot of shoots that will not have time to lignify before the onset of winter frosts. This may result in their freezing, which will lead to a weakening of the bush.
When planting in late autumn, you can choose seedlings already prepared for winter. This will ensure that the buds will develop well in the spring. In addition, magnolia seedlings have a rather high price, but in the autumn period they are often sold at a discount.
Site selection and preparation of soil
The place for planting star magnolia should be protected from the wind, drafts are contraindicated for the tree. An important factor influencing the harmonious growth and flowering is lighting. The best location for the plant is the south or southeast side of the site, where it is quite sunny, but there is light partial shade. The abundance of the sun can provoke the early development of foliage, and, consequently, a reduction in the timing of flowering.
Since the natural habitat of star magnolia is sphagnum bogs, the soil for planting should be loose, medium-heavy and slightly acidic. To acidify it, you can use garden sulfur, citric or phosphoric acid. To maintain a constant level of soil acidity, the surface around the trunk is mulched with crushed pine bark. Soil with a neutral reaction is also suitable.
How to plant
Algorithm for planting star magnolia:
- Dig a hole for planting, the volume of which exceeds the volume of an earthen coma by about 3 times.
- Add compost, some sand and 1 cup of bone meal to the earth dug out of the hole. Mix using a digging fork.
- Drain the bottom of the landing pit with crushed stone or expanded clay.
- The seedling, together with an earthen clod, should be placed in a pit in an upright position.
- Fill the hole with fertile soil mixture, carefully tamping it.
- It will be useful to form an earthen rampart and a watering circle.
After planting, the soil must be watered abundantly, this will allow the root system of the seedling to take root better. Next, the trunk circle needs to be mulched with a layer of compost.
Growing rules
For abundant flowering of magnolia, it is necessary to ensure proper care.
Watering
The ideal air humidity for star magnolia is 55 – 65%, however, in a temperate climate, growing a plant in open ground, it is not possible to achieve such indicators. Due to its high adaptive abilities, the shrub can survive in drier climates, but it reacts poorly to prolonged drought.
During a hot, sultry summer, it is necessary to provide magnolias with regular abundant watering as the soil dries up. Waterlogging the soil should not be: the shrub is sensitive to excess moisture and stagnant water.
Additional fertilizing
Feed star magnolia with universal mineral fertilizers. During the season, it is recommended to fertilize monthly or once every couple of months. To do this, a weakly concentrated solution, diluted according to the instructions, is applied to the soil during irrigation. Similarly, the plant is fed for the first five years of life.
In the event that the soil is alkaline, it is important to control the level of iron content in it. Due to its deficiency, a disease such as chlorosis may develop. That is why the bushes are periodically (once a week) fed with iron chelate.
Trimming
The star magnolia does not require pruning, as the crown of the bush is compact and has a beautiful natural shape. However, preventive procedures to remove dry, damaged and non-viable branches of the plant are still necessary.
Preparation for winter
Despite the fact that the star magnolia is highly winter hardy, in regions with severe winters, the underground parts of the plant can still freeze slightly. To prevent this from happening, at the end of autumn, before the onset of the first frost, the root zone must be covered with a layer of mulch about 40 cm thick. For young bushes, as a rule, they additionally create a shelter made of burlap, agrofiber or ordinary dense fabric.
Star magnolia is threatened not only by frosts, the period of thaws is extremely dangerous, when, with early warming, buds begin to bloom on the shoots, which can die during a sharp cold snap.
Pests and diseases
Star magnolia diseases are rarely affected. In central Our Country, there are no infections and pests that pose a serious threat to the plant. Most often, a shrub can be exposed to non-infectious diseases associated, for example, with frostbite of shoots.
Quite rarely, spider mites start up on the leaves of the star magnolia. These are small insects that pierce the underside of the leaves and suck out the cell juices from them. Spider mites actively spread in drought conditions, which is why it is important to monitor the maintenance of optimal soil moisture.
Conclusion
Star magnolia is one of the most beautiful and unusual garden shrubs. Planting and caring for this plant is not easy, but under favorable conditions, large snow-white or pale pink magnolia flowers, exuding a sweet aroma, can transform any garden with their appearance.
