Magnolia
stellata (Star Magnolia) from Japan is a lovely
shrub/tree with large showy multi-petalled flowers,
white and, rarely, pink.
This was one of the
first plants I bought for my garden and it was doing fine
until a builder, doing some work for me, plonked heavy
stuff on top of it. This broke the leader and squashed the
rest. Years later I am still wondering if I should
replace it or not. However it flowers beautifully and
reliably every April.
I find it fully hardy
and, as I have slightly acid soil, Rhododendron, Camellia
and Magnolia do well. M. stellata will also do in neutral
soil and likes it moist and well-drained. It is generally
very easy.
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