Magnolia stellata Waterlily

The Magnolia stellata 'Waterlily' owes its name to the appearance of its white flowers in large double stars, which can evoke those of water lilies. This superb variety of star magnolia is a true enchantment in early spring, when the bush is literally covered with softly scented flowers, before the foliage appears, from a young age. Compact, generous, and accommodating, 'Waterlily' is ideal for ornamenting small gardens, and it also grows very well in a large pot on the terrace or balcony.

The star magnolia, Latin name Magnolia stellata, originating from Japan, is the earliest and most floriferous species in the Magnolia genus. It is also one of the most adaptable to soil and climate, and the bush shows slow growth and moderate development. 'Waterlily' is a horticultural variety selected at Greenbrier Farms, Norfolk (US) around 1939. It is characterized by its very double flowers, increased floribundity, and a more compact habit.

The flowers of the 'Waterlily' star magnolia, measuring 10 to 12 cm (3.9 - 4.7 in) in diameter, composed of 15 to 18 white petals barely tinged with pink, cover the entire plant from March onwards, before the leaves emerge. The explosion of flowering is rapid and lasts for many weeks despite the cool temperatures. It also offers a fairly light and subtle fragrance with vanilla and lemon notes that do not fail to capture the attention of passers-by. Flowering occurs in young subjects from the age of 18 months. This beautiful bush has a bushy and spreading habit over time, but very branched, reaching 2 to 3 m (6 in 7 ft - 9 in 10 ft) in all directions. The leaves, 4 to 10 cm (1.6 - 3.9 in) long, develop once the flowering is finished. They are arranged alternately on the branches, simple and entire, oval-shaped, dark green with a paler underside. They turn yellow in winter before falling.

This 'Waterlily' star magnolia, an outstanding ornamental tree, will work wonders in a modest-sized garden, where it will quickly become the star of spring. It is a classic in white gardens. It is most often used as a solitary specimen in the middle of a lawn, where its remarkable flowering is most effective, but when installing it, remember that once the flowering is over, it will somewhat fade into anonymity. Therefore, it is advantageous to associate it with a mass of shrubs that prefer non-calcareous soils, with staggered flowering (Camellias, Hydrangeas, Witch Hazels, Pieris, Windflowers, Fothergilla, Wintersweet), for a Japanese-style garden. Just make sure not to plant other vegetation within 1.50 m (4 in 11 ft) of the trunk of the Magnolia, as its roots do not tolerate competition. It is also possible to create beautiful flowering hedges along paths, alternating this Magnolia with other cultivars (Magnolia grandiflora, Magnolia denudata, liliflora, brooklyniensis). Due to its small size and slow growth, the star magnolia is ideal in a potted container on a terrace where you can enjoy its pleasant vanilla fragrance.

History: Its name Magnolia was given to it in 1703 by Charles Plumier, botanist to King Louis XIV, thus paying homage to the physician-botanist Pierre Magnol (1638-1715), who was one of the directors of the Montpellier Botanical Garden at the end of the 17th century. Its specific name soulangeana originates from Etienne Soulange-Bodin (1774-1846), a retired cavalry officer from Napoleon's army, who devoted himself to horticulture. In his Fromont castle, near Paris, he became passionate about Magnolias and obtained this hybrid in 1829, the origin of a magnificent lineage of cultivars today!