Magnolia Soulangeana vs Magnolia Stellata | What's the Difference in These Varieties?

Magnolia Soulangeana | Magnolia Stellata | Comparison |  Best for Your Garden | How to Care | Companion Plants and Wildlife

Magnolia Soulangeana vs Magnolia Stellata — discover which variety suits your space and style.

Choosing the right magnolia for your garden can be tricky, especially when two of the most popular varieties share many beautiful traits. If you're wondering about the difference between Magnolia Soulangeana vs Magnolia Stellata, you're not alone. Both species bring spectacular spring blossoms and architectural presence, but they suit different garden styles and needs.

In this post, we explore the key distinctions between these two magnolia stars, helping you make an informed choice based on flower style, size, maintenance, and planting conditions.

National Trust showcases real-life examples of magnolia plantings in historic UK gardens.

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Overview of Magnolia Soulangeana

Magnolia Soulangeana, often called the Saucer Magnolia, is known for its large goblet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, mauve, and white. It typically blooms in mid-spring, just before or as the leaves appear.

• Height & Spread: 4–8m tall and wide

• Flower Size: Large (up to 25cm)

• Shape: Multi-stemmed shrub or small tree

Quick Fact: Soulangeana is a hybrid between Magnolia denudata and Magnolia liliflora, bred in France in the 1800s.

Its statuesque form and dramatic blooms make it a focal point in larger gardens or open lawn spaces.

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Overview of Magnolia Stellata

Magnolia Stellata, or Star Magnolia, is more compact and delicate in appearance. It features narrow, star-shaped petals in white or soft pink and flowers earlier than Soulangeana, often in late March or early April.

• Height & Spread: 2.5–4m tall and wide

• Flower Size: Small (up to 10cm)

• Shape: Rounded, bushy shrub

Top Tip: Stellata's smaller size makes it perfect for urban gardens, courtyards, or even large containers.

Stellata's early flowering offers one of the first signs of spring and fits neatly into tighter spaces or mixed borders.

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Side-by-Side Comparison of Magnolia Varieties

Feature	Magnolia Soulangeana	Magnolia Stellata
Bloom Time	Mid-Spring (April)	Early Spring (March)
Flower Form	Goblet-shaped, large	Star-shaped, fine-petalled
Height at Maturity	6–8m	2.5–4m
Spread	Wide, spreading	Compact, rounded
Ideal Setting	Lawns, large borders	Courtyards, smaller gardens
Flower Colour Options	Pink, white, purple blends	White, soft pink
Container Friendly?	Rarely	Yes

This side-by-side view makes it easier to decide which magnolia matches your garden space and aesthetic.

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Which Magnolia Is Best for Your Garden?

Choosing between the two depends on your needs:

• Go for Magnolia Soulangeana if you have room for a large focal tree with show-stopping blooms.

• Choose Magnolia Stellata for limited spaces, pots, or earlier seasonal colour.

If frost is a concern in your region, note that Stellata’s early blooms may suffer if late cold snaps hit, whereas Soulangeana blooms a little later when frosts are less likely.

Expert Insight: Planting your magnolia in a sheltered, east or south-facing spot can help protect early blossoms from frost and wind damage.

Woodland Trust helps homeowners select the right tree for their space and soil.

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How to Care for Each Variety

Both magnolias are low-maintenance once established, but here’s how to get the best from each:

• Soil: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral.

• Position: Full sun to light shade; shelter from harsh winds.

• Watering: Regular when young; mulch in spring to retain moisture.

• Pruning: Minimal — prune lightly in summer only to remove dead or crossed branches.

Top Tip: Use a mulch of leaf mould or bark to keep roots cool and boost soil health naturally.

For more information on Magnolia care, visit Gardeners’ World – How to Grow Magnolias.

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Companion Plants & Wildlife Considerations

Enhance the beauty and ecological value of your magnolia by pairing it with:

• Underplanting options like hellebores, ferns, and pulmonaria

• Flowering companions such as Amelanchier, Cornus, or flowering currants

• Pollinator-friendly plants to increase biodiversity

Magnolia blooms provide an early-season food source for beetles and solitary bees. Complementing them with other spring nectar plants boosts your garden's pollinator appeal.

For more on wildlife appeal, see our blog: Are Magnolia Trees Good for Wildlife & Pollinators?

Magnolias do more than look beautiful—they improve soil health, trap pollution, stabilise ground, and help combat climate change, as noted in an ecological overview of their many environmental benefits.

The Wildlife Trusts – Gardening for Wildlife discusses how to create pollinator-friendly planting schemes

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Final Thoughts

Both Magnolia Soulangeana and Magnolia Stellata offer breathtaking spring displays and add structure and elegance to gardens of all sizes. The decision often comes down to space, bloom preference, and desired timing of flowers.

Soulangeana offers showier flowers on a grander scale, while Stellata is the refined, earlier blooming choice for smaller spots. Whichever you choose, proper placement and minimal care will reward you with decades of seasonal beauty.

You can browse our full selection via our Magnolia Trees Collection or take the next step with our Magnolia Tree Care Calendar for month-by-month guidance. If you’re planting for pollinators or looking to mix seasonal interest, our blog series on Magnolia Varieties will help you explore more options tailored to your needs.

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FAQs

Which magnolia flowers earlier – Soulangeana or Stellata?

Magnolia Stellata flowers earlier than Soulangeana, often bursting into bloom in late March. This early flowering makes Stellata one of the first magnolias to announce the arrival of spring in the UK. Soulangeana, by contrast, tends to bloom a few weeks later, typically in April, when the weather is slightly more settled. While Stellata’s star-shaped flowers create a delicate display against bare branches, they are also more vulnerable to late frosts. If you live in a frost-prone area, consider planting your Stellata in a sheltered location to protect the buds. Soulangeana’s later bloom time can offer some frost protection naturally, making it slightly more reliable in cooler climates.

Can I grow either magnolia in a container?

Stellata is suitable for large pots; Soulangeana generally needs open ground due to its size.

You can browse our full Small Garden Trees Collection for other container-friendly options.

Are both varieties scented?

Yes, both have a light fragrance, but Stellata’s scent is more delicate and fleeting.

Which variety is easier to maintain?

Both require little care, but Stellata’s smaller size makes it a bit more manageable in tight spaces.