Magnolia stellata 'Centennial'
Centennial Star Magnolia

Magnolia stellata ′Centennial′ - Overall Habit

Family:

Magnoliaceae (Magnolia Family) 26

Genus:

Magnolia (Magnolia Cucumber Tree Tree, Cucumber) 23

Plant Type:

Shrub/Tree 81

Growth Forms:

Bushy 187

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 517

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 838

Flower Notes:

White (Fragrant, white (with pink blush), 5.5" dia. flowers with 28-32 tepals (each 1.5-2.5" long) before leaves, in early April)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Summer foliage); Bronze (Rarely has the attractive yellow-bronze fall color)

Fruit Notes:

Red (Reddish-green cucumber-like pods with usually only a few attractive reddish-orange seeds in fall)

Ultimate Height:

15-25 feet

Ultimate Spread:

10-20 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Prefers peaty, organic soil

Range:

Cultivated origin

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves alternate, simple, 2-4" long and half as wide, obtuse tip then tapering to base, dark green above and pale green and reticulate below, generally glabrous. Flower buds are large (0.3-0.5" long) and silky. Stems are fragrant. Flowers are more open and larger (5.5" across) than the species, with many more, pink-blushed tepals (28-32).

Special Characteristics:

Flowering Characteristics 355

Fragrant Flowers 188

Additional Information

'Centennial' is an excellent, vigorous Magnolia stellata cultivar with large (5.5" across), pink-blushed white flowers with numerous tepals. This plant was released by the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University in 1972 to commemorate its 100th anniversary. Handsome specimen at all seasons. Needs at least some protection from strong wind in Zones 4 and 5. Somewhat prone to breakage in severe ice storms. Early blooming flowers often destroyed by late spring frosts.