Magnolia stellata (Star magnolia)

Botanical name

Magnolia stellata

Other names

Star magnolia, Starry magnolia

Genus

Magnolia Magnolia

Species

M. stellata - M. stellata is a compact, broadly rounded, deciduous shrub with with narrowly ovate to lance-shaped, mid-green leaves and silky buds opening to star-shaped, white flowers in early to mid-spring.

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Flower

Habit

Rounded

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

Colour

Flower

White in Spring

Foliage

Green in Summer

How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Horse chestnut scale , Capsid bug

Diseases

Generally disease free.

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 1 (light pruning) in midsummer.

Propagation methods

Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Magnolia stellata (Star magnolia) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 4m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, City, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Low Maintenance, Containers, Wallside and trellises

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, preferably neutral to acid soil in sun or partial shade with shelter from strong winds. mulch with leaf mould and manure in early spring.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Magnolia stellata (Star magnolia)

Common pest name

Japanese long scale; Japanese maple scale; Long scale; Japanese; Pear white scale

Scientific pest name

Lopholeucaspis japonica

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Regulated only on Citrus at present; regulation on other hosts needs to be considered. Only likely to be a pest under glass in UK.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Magnolia stellata (Star magnolia)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Phytophthora kernoviae

Type

Oomycete

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Pathogen of certain tree and shrub species; subject to a containment strategy the UK.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Magnolia stellata (Star magnolia)

Common pest name

Black timber bark beetle; Smaller alnus bark beetle; tea root borer

Scientific pest name

Xylosandrus germanus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Ambrosia beetle affecting a wide range of trees and woody hosts. Widespread in Europe and elsewhere and now present in the south of England. Impacts can be reduced by good silvicultural practices. Surveillance is being carried out to better determine distribution.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/