Magnolia Stellata

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Magnoliaceae

Order

Magnoliales

Genus

Magnolia

Species

starry

Description

Medium-sized deciduous shrub with a broad, rounded crown. The high ornamental value is conferred by the early spring blooms that precede the appearance of the leaves with a profusion of elegant, sinuous flowers with star-shaped corolla. Due to its size and developed habit it is suitable for green spaces such as gardens or parks, as a solitary flowering bush, but also for terraces in suitably sized pots.

Variety description

Medium-sized shrub that can also become a tree; deciduous and with an irregular, informal habit. Cultivated either with tall tree-like branches or with base foliage. Of medium to large size, it has a compact, slender crown and regular, close-set branches. Light green, glossy leaves. Very showy and spectacular white flowering, although the flower is simple in shape. Good adaptability to various soil types and growing environments; adapts to urban climates showing excellent resistance to heat stress. It requires a sunny exposure and tolerates half-shade. A shrub that develops both above and below ground roots, it grows well in all soil types, preferably fertile and organic. Typically ornamental plant, for park areas, gardens and rows or small groups. Also suitable for green roofs and residential areas. Resistant to pathogens and requires no pruning.

Curiosities and special features

The botanical genus was conferred in honour of P. Magnol, a French botanist and director of the Montpellier Botanical Garden in the 17th century who introduced the concept of the family into botanical classification, while the specific epithet refers to the star-shaped corolla of the flowers.

Origin and distribution

A species native to Japan, particularly the central-southern part of the island of HonshÅ", it was introduced to Europe for ornamental purposes towards the end of the 19th century. Today it is present with an assortment of cultivars resulting from continuous hybridisation.

Flower size

The flower is medium in size, lending elegance to the showy bloom.

Leaf

The leaves have an oblong, oval blade with a smooth, slightly wavy margin and a pronounced midrib.

Flowering period

It flowers from early to mid-spring for a duration of 15 to 25 days, displaying a profusion of flowers prior to the appearance of the leaves, which gives the plant a high ornamental value.

Leaf colour

Solid-coloured, generally glossy green on the upper page and lighter on the lower.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 1 to 4 m, depending on the environmental and cultivation conditions. In general, the Magnolia stellata is a medium-sized shrub that can also become a small tree.

Lifespan

Polyennial deciduous shrub.

Where to plant

Versatile in use, it is suitable as a plant for flowerbeds , gardens and parks, large flowerbeds and street roundabouts, large pots, terraces, outdoor tubs

Stem

It has a woody stem with smooth dark bark; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, medium-sized form with a star-shaped corolla and plain petals. It flowers from early to mid-spring, with a flowering period of between 15 and 25 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Medium-vigorous Growth plant.

Plant habit

It develops a bushy, informal habit with compact, slender foliage.

Branching

The abundant branching, with regular, closely spaced branches, makes for a plant architecture of considerable ornamental value.

PH

It requires a soil or substrate pH between 6.5 and 7.0.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting at the beginning of winter, choose the most suitable place, in relation to the plant's needs, and use a spade to make the planting hole at least one third the size of the root or root ball volume, removing any weeds and bulky pebbles. Add organic matter and apply organic or chemical granular fertiliser for a background fertilisation to ensure the nutrients the plant needs in the early post-transplant phases.

Sun exposure

Suitable for exposure in bright shade, full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 0.0 and 30 °C.

Use

Beloved for its elegant blooms as well as its size and vegetative habitus in:

Outdoor ornamental Outdoor Landscape Design Landscaping

Hardiness

Ahighly rustic plant, it adapts well to hot summer climates as well as cold winter weather.

Soil

It prefers medium-textured, well-drained soil with organic matter. If grown in pots, use a new, high-quality, light substrate with added sand or agri perlite to keep it properly aerated.

Difficulty

Following proper establishment in the new planting site, the cultivation of Magnolia stellata is fairly easy, requiring an overall low level of management effort.

Growing tips

Some useful cultivation tips to obtain specimens with excellent vegetative vigour and lush flowering:

Avoid over-watering Plant which adapts very well to cold winter climates, and also thrives in frozen soil conditions. Can also be planted in flowerbeds in full sun. Requires little but regular fertilisation Exposure to direct light Correct pruning

Planting

For transplanting, adopt an average density of 1500 plants/ha, choosing healthy specimens, free from abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Always identify the planting site in advance in relation to the growth conditions required by the species according to the principle of 'the right plant in the right place'.

It is advisable to place the root ball completely in the previously dug planting hole, placing the plant's collar off the surface and compacting the soil well to avoid air pockets that could compromise root development.

Pruning

Regulate the larger size of the vegetative development with training pruning on the longer branches. Indiscriminate cutting of stems and branches by 'pruning' not only leads to an alteration of the natural habitus of the plant, but also leads to less resistance to biotic and abiotic agents.

Propagation

Magnolia stellata can be propagated by layering, cuttings or seed.

Repotting

If grown in pots, transplant young plants into progressively larger pots and carry out pruning to balance out the vegetation that tends to elongate.

Watering

After planting, water the soil well and assist the plant so that it can best develop its root system in the new site, keeping it at a constant humidity free of water stagnation and dryness. Afterwards, apply quantities with frequencies and doses also commensurate with the climatic trend during the different seasons.

Fertilising

When preparing the soil for transplanting, carry out basic fertilisation with a balanced granular fertiliser for ornamental flowering plants. Following removal to the new planting site, carry out constant fertilisation during the spring-summer period in proportion to any nutritional requirements of the plant, without exceeding the dosage.

If the plant shows yellowing leaves use fertilisers containing iron or iron chelates.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Tip

Plant to be pruned when young so that it produces many branches and has an abundant flowering that is very scenic. Suitable for many uses both in pots and in the garden as a solitary flowering bush.