Star magnolias are long-lived, hardy shrubs that honestly just want to be left alone. They’re a bit sensitive—even a heavy pruning can cause them to stop blooming for several years, or worse, quit flowering altogether. Moving them is an even bigger deal, so you’ll want to handle them with care.
Only Move Them if You Really Have To
Because they’re such homebodies, you should only consider transplanting your magnolia if it’s absolutely necessary. This might be the case if your plant has stopped blooming because its current location is too shady or way too windy. Another common reason is overcrowding; if you didn’t leave at least three feet of space around it when it was young, it might be getting choked out by its neighbors.
The Right Way to Dig In
If you’ve decided a move is the only option, here’s how to dig up your star magnolia properly:
- Start by cleaning up the plant—snip off any old, dead branches.
- Carefully cut into the soil about 20 inches away from the trunk all the way around. Remember, star magnolias are shallow-rooted!
- Dig a very wide hole to keep the root ball as intact as possible. The less you disturb those roots, the better.
A quick word of caution: If your plant has been in the same spot for more than four years, you might want to reconsider moving it at all. At that age, the chances of it successfully taking root in a new spot are pretty slim.
Settling Into a New Home
When you’re ready for planting your star magnolia in its new home, follow these steps to give it the best start:
- Pick a spot that gets plenty of sun and is protected from harsh winds.
- If your soil isn’t naturally rich, mix in some high-quality compost or humus.
- Add some rhododendron soil (or peat moss) to the mix to give the dirt that slightly acidic touch magnolias love.
- Give it plenty of water right after the move and keep the soil consistently moist while it settles in.
