Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star'

Common name: Star Magnolia 'Royal Star'

Description: Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star' is widely regarded as the finest white-flowered star magnolia, producing an exceptionally generous display of large, pure white flowers with up to 25–30 petals each — considerably more than the typical stellata. The flowers open from attractive silky-pink buds in late winter to early spring, and are lightly fragrant. It is a compact, densely branched deciduous shrub, slow-growing and very well-suited to smaller gardens and containers. An AGM-winning variety of proven garden merit.

Other benefits: RHS Award of Garden Merit; largest flowers of the stellata forms; reliable heavy cropping; suitable for containers and smaller gardens

Wildlife attraction: bees and early-emerging pollinating insects — a valuable early-season nectar source

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 2m x 2m

Position: full sun to partial shade; sheltered from hard late frosts; avoid frost pockets

Soil pH: neutral to acid (pH 5.5–7.0); fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil

Moisture: moderate; mulch well and water during dry spells in establishment years

Winter hardiness: fully hardy to -20°C