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Star magnolia is a shrub characterized by abundant flowering and large, luxurious, star-shaped flowers. The plant is native to the Japanese island of Honshu. Thanks to the original shape of the crown and leaves, star magnolia is considered one of the most beautiful species.
Description of star magnolia
Under natural conditions, star magnolia (Stellata) grows as 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 widespread 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 beyond its borders.
The leaves of the shrub are large (10 - 12 mm), fleshy, have an elongated oval shape with a pointed or blunt apex 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 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 usually blooms in April, before the leaves begin to form. Flowering lasts approximately three weeks. The flowers are star-shaped and formed by 15 - 40 large ribbon-shaped petals. They have a bright, sweetish aroma. The diameter of the flowers reaches 12 cm.
After flowering ends, the bush is covered with dark green leaves. The fruits are cylindrical leaflets, reaching a length of 5 - 6 cm. The plant begins to bear fruit in September. The cone-shaped fruits of Magnolia stellata Stellata, as can be seen from the photo, resemble cucumbers in their appearance, painted in a red tint.
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 Russia.
Rosea
Magnolia star Rosea is a small deciduous shrub reaching a height of up to 2 m.Its crown is dense, branched, and 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 and highly decorative. 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, able to 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, and consist of 18 - 25 petals. The 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.
Waterlily
Star magnolia Waterlily has a compact rounded crown, the height and width of which is about 2.5 - 3 m. The star-shaped flowers have a pale pink, almost white color, with 30 petals. The buds are colored in a deeper shade of pink. The size of the flowers is 7 - 8 cm. The foliage is dark green. The winter hardiness of star magnolia Waterlily is high, the plant can withstand temperatures up to 29 degrees below zero.
Dr. Masei
Doctor Massei is a shrub up to 2.5 m high. A distinctive feature of the variety is its long and abundant flowering. Before opening, the buds are painted in a pinkish tint, which disappears over time, and the semi-double flowers become snow-white. The variety does well in temperate climates. Magnolia star (Stellata) Doctor Massei can be safely grown in the Moscow region.
Jane Platt
Jane Platt is another charming magnolia variety that is highly frost-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.
Reproduction methods
There are several ways to propagate star magnolia:
- sowing seeds;
- cuttings;
- layering;
- vaccinations.
The plant is propagated by seeds very rarely, since this process takes too much time. Flowering of star magnolia grown from seeds will begin only closer to the tenth year of life.
Vegetative propagation methods, such as cuttings and propagation by layering, are less labor-intensive and show better results. Propagation by grafting is a rather complex method that only experienced gardeners can handle.
Planting and caring for star magnolia
Star magnolia is a capricious plant that requires compliance with certain rules when planting and growing. This subtropical shrub feels comfortable growing in temperate climates, but it does not tolerate severe frosts and summer heat. If you follow agricultural techniques, even a beginner can cope with planting and caring for star magnolia.
Hyacinths, daffodils or tulips can be used as plant companions.Star magnolia looks advantageous against the backdrop of evergreen trees. In group plantings, the shrub looks even more impressive.
Recommended timing
Star magnolia seedlings with a closed root system are recommended to be planted in a permanent place in late autumn. If you do this in the spring, over the summer the bush will produce many shoots that will not have time to become woody before the onset of winter frosts. This may result in them freezing, which will lead to weakening of the bush.
When planting in late autumn, you can choose seedlings that are already prepared for winter. This will guarantee that the buds will develop well in the spring. In addition, magnolia seedlings have a fairly high price, but in the autumn they are often sold at discounts.
Site selection and soil preparation
The place for planting star magnolia should be protected from the wind; drafts are contraindicated for the tree. An important factor influencing 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 sun can provoke early development of foliage, and, consequently, a reduction in flowering time.
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 correctly
Algorithm for planting star magnolia:
- Dig a hole for planting, the volume of which is approximately 3 times the volume of the earthen ball.
- Add compost, a little sand and 1 cup of bone meal to the soil dug out of the hole. Mix using a digging fork.
- Drain the bottom of the planting hole with crushed stone or expanded clay.
- The seedling along with a lump of earth should be placed in a hole in a vertical position.
- Fill the hole with fertile soil mixture, compacting it thoroughly.
- 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 tree trunk circle needs to be mulched with a layer of compost.
Growing rules
For magnolia to bloom abundantly, proper care must be provided.
Watering
The ideal air humidity for star magnolia is 55 - 65%, however, in temperate climates, growing the plant in open ground, it is not possible to achieve such indicators. Thanks to its high adaptive abilities, the shrub can survive in drier climates, but it does not respond well to prolonged drought.
During the hot, sultry summer, it is necessary to provide the magnolia with regular, abundant watering as the soil dries out.The soil should not be over-moistened: the shrub is sensitive to excess moisture and stagnation of water.
Top dressing
Star magnolia is fed 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 watering. The plant is fed in a similar way for the first five years of its life.
If the soil is alkaline, it is important to control the level of iron in it. Due to its deficiency, a disease such as chlorosis can develop. That is why the bushes are periodically (once a week) fed with iron chelate.
Trimming
Star magnolia does not require pruning because the crown of the bush is compact and has a beautiful natural shape. However, preventive procedures for removing dry, damaged and non-viable branches are still necessary for the plant.
Preparing for winter
Despite the fact that star magnolia is highly winter-hardy, in regions with harsh winters the underground parts of the plant can still freeze. To prevent this from happening, at the end of autumn, before the onset of the first frosts, the root zone must be covered with a layer of mulch about 40 cm thick. For young bushes, as a rule, an additional shelter is created from burlap, agrofibre or ordinary dense fabric.
Star magnolia is threatened not only by frost; the thaw period 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
Diseases rarely affect star magnolia. In central Russia, there are no infections or pests that pose a serious threat to the plant. Most often, shrubs can be susceptible to non-infectious diseases associated, for example, with frostbite of shoots.
Quite rarely, spider mites appear on the leaves of star magnolia. These are small insects that pierce the underside of leaves and suck out the cell juices from them. Spider mites actively spread in drought conditions, which is why it is important to ensure that the soil maintains optimal moisture.
Conclusion
Star magnolia is one of the most beautiful and unusual garden shrubs. Planting and caring for this plant is not easy, but in favorable conditions, large snow-white or soft pink magnolia flowers, emitting a sweet aroma, can transform any garden with their appearance.
