Spring, no other season can bring such life to the land and also the people.  What a lovely season that I personally forget to enjoy more often then not.  I was driving through the Meridian Hills area and was looking at the landscapes and gardens (I was watching the road too, I promise).  I turned down 54th street, past Pennsylvania Street, past Central Avenue one my way to Broadway Street and I noticed that the mature flowering trees were absolutely stunning.  This revelation really got my landscape juices flowing and had me wondering how I had not noticed and enjoyed this the past 24 years of my life.  This weeks Plant of the Week is thanks to this discovery.  We will learn a little bit about Magnolia’s, and specifically the Star Magnolia or Magnolia stellata.

One of the earliest bloomers come spring time, Star magnolia make a great choice for an early season blooming tree.  Sporting lovely fragrant white or pink blooms with a beautiful growth habit and wonderful green foliage, the Star magnolia will not disappoint.  A great plant in zone 5 (that is Indiana’s zone for those who do not know), supply acidic soils and lots of sun and space to grow and you will be repaid with a truly special plant.  Once you have it in the ground care is simple, just water during drought, mulch to help retain moisture and prune dead branches to ensure longevity and healthy.

Is the Star magnolia speaking to you?  Read more about it here and here!  Thanks for reading and have a wonderful week!