Centennial Blush Star Magnolia

NEW

✓ Ships in 1–5 days How we ship your plants

Size

5 gallon

$150.00

Discount level Cart total

Free Shipping

$249+

10% off any 2 items BUY2GET10

Save $50

$350+

Save $125

$750+

Save $300

$1,500+

Save $500

$2,500+

Save $750

$3,250+

Save $1,000

$4,000+

Sale ends 10/31 at 11:59PM CST

SEE HOW YOUR TREE ARRIVES

SUNLIGHT
Grows best in full sun to partial shade. Plenty of direct sunlight encourages the most abundant flowering, while some afternoon shade can be beneficial in hotter climates.

WATER
Water when the top 2–3 inches of soil begin to dry, approximately once or twice per week during establishment. Once established, water during extended hot or dry periods and avoid consistently saturated soil. Watering needs vary based on climate, rainfall, soil, sunlight, drainage, and establishment phase.

IDEAL CLIMATE
Best suited for Zones 4–9. Centennial Blush is exceptionally cold hardy for a magnolia and performs well across cool and temperate climates while also tolerating warmer conditions within its recommended growing range.

PLANT DESCRIPTION & MATURE SIZE

Centennial Blush Star Magnolia, scientifically known as Magnolia stellata 'Centennial Blush' PP22,248, is a compact deciduous magnolia known for its abundant, fragrant spring flowers. Soft pink buds open into star-shaped, pale pink blooms that gradually fade to nearly white, creating a beautiful two-toned display before the foliage fully emerges. Its smaller size and upright, rounded habit allow it to be grown as either a large flowering shrub or a small ornamental tree, making it an excellent choice for front yards, foundation plantings, garden beds, and smaller landscapes.

GROWTH RATE & MATURE SIZE:

Moderate growth rate. Reaches approximately 12–18 feet tall and 10–15 feet wide at maturity.

WATERING & SUNLIGHT

Water your newly planted Centennial Blush Star Magnolia when the top 2–3 inches of soil begin to dry, typically about once or twice per week during establishment. Once established, water less frequently but provide supplemental water during extended periods of heat or drought. Avoid allowing the root zone to become excessively dry or remain consistently saturated. There is no fixed watering schedule, so always check the soil first and adjust based on climate, rainfall, temperature, sunlight exposure, soil type, drainage, and establishment phase.

Centennial Blush Star Magnolia grows best in full sun to partial shade. Providing plenty of sunlight encourages abundant flowering and healthy growth, while some afternoon shade can be beneficial in hotter climates.

PLANT CARE & PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

PRUNING
Centennial Blush naturally develops an attractive shape and typically needs very little pruning. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches as needed. If shaping is necessary, prune shortly after flowering so you don't accidentally remove flower buds for the following spring.

FERTILIZING
Avoid fertilizing for the first 2–3 months after delivery to allow the plant to adjust and establish. Once established, apply a balanced fertilizer in spring if needed. Avoid fertilizing in fall or winter.

WINTER PROTECTION
Centennial Blush is very cold hardy and generally needs little winter protection once established. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it several inches away from the trunk. Keep in mind that late spring freezes can damage flowers even when the tree itself is perfectly healthy.

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Choose a location with full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper than the root ball itself. Remove the nursery pot or any wrapping around the root ball and gently loosen tightly bound or circling roots. Position the tree so the top of the root ball sits level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. Backfill using only the native soil removed from the planting hole without adding compost, peat moss, sand, rock, or other amendments directly to the hole. Gently firm the soil and water slowly and deeply throughout the root ball and surrounding soil. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the root zone, keeping mulch several inches away from the trunk.

USDA GROW ZONE:

Zones 4-9

Centennial Blush Star Magnolia grows well throughout USDA Zones 4–9, giving it excellent versatility across cold, temperate, and moderately warm climates. Its cold hardiness makes it a good magnolia option for northern landscapes, while it can also handle warmer conditions within its recommended range. Because it flowers early in spring, an unusually late freeze can damage open flowers or developing buds even when the tree itself is completely cold hardy. In warmer climates, some protection from intense afternoon sun can be beneficial.

Important: USDA Hardiness Zones only measure a plant's cold tolerance. They do not account for heat tolerance, humidity, rainfall, or other climate factors. Always consider your local growing conditions in addition to your USDA Zone when selecting plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big does Centennial Blush Star Magnolia get?

Centennial Blush Star Magnolia reaches approximately 12–18 feet tall and 10–15 feet wide at maturity. Its relatively compact size makes it an excellent magnolia for front yards, smaller landscapes, garden beds, and areas where a full-sized magnolia would be too big.

How fast does Centennial Blush Star Magnolia grow?

Centennial Blush Star Magnolia has a moderate growth rate and can typically grow approximately 12–24 inches per year under favorable conditions. Growth varies depending on sunlight, climate, soil, moisture, and overall tree health.

Where is the best place to plant Centennial Blush Star Magnolia?

Plant Centennial Blush in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil. Choose a location where its spring flowers can be enjoyed from a patio, window, walkway, or front yard while still giving the tree enough room to accommodate its mature spread.

How far apart should I plant Centennial Blush Star Magnolia?

For individual specimen trees, allow approximately 10–15 feet of space to accommodate the mature canopy. If planting multiple trees, spacing around 10–12 feet apart can create a fuller grouping while still providing room for each tree to develop.

When does Centennial Blush Star Magnolia bloom?

Centennial Blush typically blooms in early to mid-spring, often before or as its foliage begins emerging. Exact flowering time varies by climate and spring temperatures.

What color are Centennial Blush Star Magnolia flowers?

The flower buds begin soft pink and open into pale pink, star-shaped flowers. As the flowers mature, they gradually fade toward white, often giving the tree a beautiful mix of pink and white blooms at the same time.

Are Centennial Blush Star Magnolia flowers fragrant?

Yes. Centennial Blush produces fragrant spring flowers, adding scent as well as color to the landscape.

Does Centennial Blush Star Magnolia need full sun?

No. Centennial Blush grows in full sun to partial shade, although plenty of sunlight generally encourages the most abundant flowering. Some afternoon shade can be beneficial in hotter parts of its growing range.

Can a late freeze damage Centennial Blush Magnolia flowers?

Yes. Because Centennial Blush flowers relatively early in spring, open blooms and developing flower buds can be damaged by a late freeze. The tree itself can remain completely healthy even if a freeze shortens or reduces the floral display for that season.

Is Centennial Blush Star Magnolia a tree or shrub?

It can develop as a small flowering tree or a large multi-stemmed shrub, depending on how it is grown and pruned. Its compact stature makes it versatile for both traditional tree and large shrub roles in the landscape.

More Details

*SHIPPING DETAILS

We process and ship your order as quickly as possible, typically within 1-3 business days. You will receive a shipping confirmation with tracking information once your item(s) ship.

We have perfected packaging and shipping plants & trees! That is why we DO NOT use any third-party fulfillment like most other online retailers. Your trees go straight from our farm to your door, safely packaged by our team of seasoned professionals. Our process ensures your plants leave our facility and arrive to your door in the best condition possible!

In cases of extreme cold or hot weather, we may temporarily delay shipping to ensure the well-being of your plants. Our primary focus is on delivering healthy and thriving plants to you. Rest assured, we'll make every effort to notify you of any delays promptly.

Please allow additional ship times during inclement weather and sale periods. We do not process or ship orders on the weekend or U.S. Holidays. Simply Trees is not responsible for delays due to carriers, local disruptions, or weather.

See how we pack your plants!

Learn more about our Shipping Policy

1 YEAR GUARANTEE

At Simply Trees, we're committed to your satisfaction. If your plants arrive considerably damaged or sustained damage beyond the point of recovery, please contact us within five days at sales@simplytrees.com with clear photos of the entire plant in question for assistance. Our 1 year guarantee covers issues after planting, subject to our terms. We can't cover plants in the wrong climate or with inadequate care, but we're here to help in other situations. For a detailed understanding of our 1 year guarantee and how we ensure a fair process, click here to learn more.

SHIPPING TO CALIFORNIA? HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

All California orders require a mandatory inspection by the Texas Department of Agriculture (yep, it’s a USDA thing!). These inspections happen about once a week—typically on Tuesdays, though the day can vary. If you place an order just after an inspection, your plant may not ship for several days until the next one. Unfortunately, we’re not able to expedite this part of the process.

Also, due to USDA regulations, we’re unable to ship oak trees, citrus or fruit trees (except olive trees) to California. This rule helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases and applies to nurseries across the country.

Thanks for your patience—we’ll make sure it’s worth the wait.

What's inside?

Your order from Simply Trees is more than just a box of plants—it’s a carefully curated experience. Here’s what’s inside:

We hand-select our plants for premium-quality from top growers nationwide
Each plant is then cleaned, prepped, and pruned to remove any blemishes and encourage new growth
Expertly treated and inspected for preventative measure
The pot is wrapped in a durable plastic bag and secured with a zip tie; house plants get extra protection with a recyclable nursery bag. Some Jumbo plants may be carefully removed from their nursery pot and burlapped to protect the rootball and ensure safe transit.
Your plant is strapped into our durable double-pane boxes, secured in place with a heavy-duty zip tie to ensure safe transit
A thank you card with a QR code leads to our guide on welcoming your new plants home

We take pride in making sure every detail is just right, so you can enjoy your new greenery from the moment it arrives.

SUSTAINABLE SHIPPING, QUALITY CARE

We've perfected the art of packaging and shipping plants and trees! Unlike most online retailers, we handle everything in-house—no third-party fulfillment. Our experienced team carefully packages your plants to ensure they arrive from our farm to your door in perfect condition.