The Star Magnolia is a tough, winter-hardy plant, which means you don’t need to worry about pruning it back in the fall. In fact, when it comes to this beauty, the general rule of thumb is “less is more.” You really only want to reach for your shears if it’s absolutely necessary, and even then, you’ll want to be extra gentle.
Star Magnolias are Natural Beauties
One of the best things about the Star Magnolia is that it’s naturally a very shapely shrub. It usually grows into a lovely form all on its own, so routine “haircuts” aren’t part of the deal. However, over the years, you might notice a few dead branches, or maybe a nasty storm does some damage. In those cases, you’ll want to step in to remove the dead wood and carefully guide the plant back to its best self.
How to Prune the Right Way: A Step-by-Step Guide
The most important thing to remember is to avoid a radical prune. Star Magnolias aren’t great at growing new shoots from old wood where a branch has been removed, so you really have to be conservative. To keep the plant happy, try to time your pruning for right after the blooming season ends in May or June. Here’s how to do it:
- Sharpen your tools and give them a quick soak in disinfectant to prevent spreading any diseases.
- Make your cuts right at the base of the branch—don’t leave any ugly “stubs” behind!
- Remove any diseased branches or those that aren’t producing many flowers.
- Cut out any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other.
- Trim away any “competing” shoots that are trying to take over the main trunk.
- For larger cuts, it’s a good idea to seal the wound with some tree wax.
Growing New Plants from Cuttings
Since you should really only be pruning your Star Magnolia every two to four years at most, you might as well make the most of it! If you’re looking to propagate your magnolia, use those trimmings to start some cuttings. Let them establish themselves in a pot for about a year, and then you can move them into their permanent home in the garden the following spring (around May).
