Plant Type

Tree, Shrub

 

Height Range

6-12'

 

Flower Color

White

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Green, Yellow

 

Bark Color

Grey

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

High

 

Growth Rate

Slow

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese, Spanish, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Fragrance, Showy Flowers, Specimen

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Shrub Border, Foundation, Patio, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Hedge, Screen, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

'Royal Star' is a deciduous magnolia with an upright, densely branched, multi-stemmed habit that could be considered a large shrub or small tree that grows at a moderate rate to 10 to 15 feet tall and 10 to 12 feet wide. It has large, frangrant, double white flowers that appear before the foliage emerges. Blooms later than the species so is a better choice as the flowers are less likely to be damaged by a spring frost. Leaves are large, a soft green, and not as leathery as the evergreen varieties.

Best grown in moist, organically rich, acidic, well-drained loams in full sun to part shade. Best sited in a location protected from high winds (minimize potential damage to leaves), but generally avoid southern exposures close to houses where the buds may be induced to open too early in spring. This is a late-blooming magnolia that is less apt to suffer frost damage in spring. Mulch root zone. Good air circulation may reduce onset of powdery mildew. Not a low-water plant, but when corrected sited, can thrive on weekly watering.