Magnolia 'PURPLE STAR'

Purple Star magnolia is a modern variety from 2015 from the renowned Belgian breeder Phillippe de Spoleberch, whose perhaps the greatest success, with which he gained fame around the world, is Daphne magnolia, so far considered the best deep yellow available. Purple Star is a cross between m. cylindrica 'Bjuv' and 'Purple Breeze'. It bears 15-20 cm wide flowers of a noble shape, deep purple pink on the outside and pale pink with a metallic effect on the inside. The center is decorated with a beautiful crown of bi-coloured anemone-like stamens.

It begins to blooms at the beginning of the second phase of magnolia flowering – late April to early May, easily avoiding late frosts. Deciduous leaves are oval to broadly ovate, medium green and emerge maroon. It grows moderately into an upright shrub or small tree with a distinct central leader and short lateral branches, giving it an almost fastigiate habit. The height at maturity reaches between 4 and 6 meters and the width is around 2 meters.

Magnolias are not supposed to be pruned. You can prune old shrubs if ill, or trim them to shape or to reduce size, or make an elementary cut to young plants of unsightly or unhealthy appearance. Do this as soon as possible after flowering to secure setting of flower buds for the following year. Be aware that each magnolia can respond differently to pruning.

Deciduous magnolias are quite easy plants. All they need is light, well-drained, acidic soil with equal moisture throughout the year. Once established they can do with occasional drought but will not look as nice as the ones with regular watering. Just pay attention to how you plant your magnolia. First, find it a spot where it will live forever and ever. It does not like transplanting. And as it makes shallow roots reaching well over its spread, stay away from disturbing the roots by digging or messing about around it. Just cover the soil with bark mulch and do not plant anything else near it after say the second year after planting onwards. You could damage the important top roots that absorb maximum moisture and nutrients from the soil. Also avoid planting magnolia too deep. Thus, you could be digging it a grave. Hardy to min. -25 °C (USDA zone 6).

Last update 12-04-2024