Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Oregon, USA

Common name: Royal Star Magnolia

Family: Magnoliaceae

Distribution: Garden Origin

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

Hardiness: Zone 5b -15 to -10 F

Life form: Deciduous tree

Usage: Ornamental flowering tree

Comments: ‘Royal Star’ is a popular cultivar that has slightly larger and showier flowers than the species. Fragrant white flowers 3-4” diameter, each with 25-30 tepals. Blooms about 2 weeks later than the species is accordingly less susceptible to frost problems. It is a small deciduous tree that typically grows 15-20’ tall with a spreading, rounded crown. It is also often grown as a large oval to rounded shrub. It is noted for its compact size and late winter to early spring bloom of star-shaped white flowers. Each flower typically has 12-18 narrow strap-like tepals.
Best grown in moist, organically rich, well-drained loams in full sun to part shade.