Star Magnolia Tree | Magnolia stellata 'Water Lily'
Packing serious petal power!
Grown by Mike's trusted specialists
Europe
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Plant diary
- Flower
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Star Magnolia Tree
Magnolia stellata 'Water Lily'
- Somebody save some petals for the rest of us… The flowers of 'Water Lily' have among the most numerous petals of any magnolia, with blooms consistently presenting up to 32 petals!
- The starry, snow-white, softly-scented flowers appear in spring, typically a little later than other varieties, adding grace, charm and unrivalled impact to any garden.
- A slow grower and ultimately reaching just a few metres tall, 'Water Lily' makes the perfect addition to any small or medium-sized garden. What’s more, it’s easy to grow, fully hardy (H6) and requires little to no pruning. Result.
- Native to Japan, plant 'Water Lily' alongside maples, rhododendrons and peonies to give your garden more of a Japanese feel.
- Plant your magnolia in a sheltered position that receives either full sun (at least six hours of direct sunlight per day) or partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic soil but don’t worry too much if it tends a little towards the alkaline or chalky.
- Our mature trees are grown in Air-Pots®, the only type of pot to completely eliminate root circling. A unique design stimulates air pruning for a mass of healthy fibrous roots, which results in a healthy tree that will establish quickly in your garden. With each Air-Pot® made to last up to 20 years, we reuse them on the nursery and wrap your mature tree in hessian for delivery - but if you’d rather keep your tree potted, simply add an Air-Pot® to your basket along with your tree.
What to expect
Supplied as
Height on arrival
Eventual height
Eventual spread
Flower colour
Habit
Hardiness
Spacing
Will this grow in my garden?
Can I grow this in a pot?
Yes, Star Magnolia Tree can be grown in a pot. Use a large container (60cm+) with ericaceous compost. It is suitable long-term if fed well. Protect the roots from freezing below -5°C.
How big does it get?
The Star Magnolia Tree reaches a mature height of 2 to 3 metres, with a spread of 2 to 3 metres, although it can be maintained at a smaller size with regular pruning.
How much sunlight does this need?
Star Magnolia Tree prefers full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive.
What kind of soil does this plant prefer?
Star Magnolia Tree prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil to thrive. Ensure the soil does not freeze below -5°C for optimal root health, applying a 5cm layer of mulch in winter.
How much watering does this plant need?
Star Magnolia Tree requires regular watering, especially during its first few years of establishment. Provide approximately 10 to 20 litres of water per week, ensuring the soil remains moist but well-drained. During hot weather above 25°C, increase watering frequency to prevent the roots from drying out.
Will this plant need pruning?
Star Magnolia Tree should be pruned in late winter or early spring while dormant, removing any dead, diseased, or crossing branches.
How hardy is this plant?
Magnolia stellata 'Water Lily' is fully hardy throughout the UK with an RHS rating of H6, capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -20°C.
The wider garden
Europe
Meet Mike's trusted specialists
Start with a touch of continental sun
Over 99% of our plants are grown in the UK, but where that’s not possible, Mike sources the best specialist growers in Europe for the job. Think citrus warmed by Sicilian sun, topiary trained by Dutch masters, almonds nourished in the Dordogne and bamboo bathed in Tuscan heat. Our handpicked growers nurture these plants to maturity before handing over to our team in the Cotswolds, to toughen them up for UK gardens.
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