Centennial Blush Star Magnolia
First Editions® Centennial Blush Star Magnolia. Image credit: Bailey Nurseries/Tracy Walsh
Deer Resistant Pink Flowers
A Small and Compact Spring Flowering Tree
First Editions® Centennial Blush Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata ‘Centennial Blush’) is a cultivar of the star magnolia, a slow-growing, deciduous magnolia tree with delicate star-shaped flowers.
Centennial Blush was selected for its abundant soft pink flowers and compact oval shape, making it the perfect flowering tree for smaller space gardens and small front and backyards. It is grown as a multi-trunked shrub or small tree, with an upright, oval crown and open branching habit, in zones 4-9.
Unlike many other species of magnolia that can take up to 10 years to start producing blooms, star magnolias begin to produce flowers starting at the age of 2-3. In late winter or early spring, soft fuzzy buds give way to delicate, lightly fragrant pink flowers that remain on the plant for 2-3 weeks. Seed pods begin to form in summer and by autumn are bursting with orange fruit, eagerly eaten by birds, squirrels and other wildlife.
Centennial Blush star magnolia flowers are susceptible to wind and frost damage in the spring time. Plant this small tree in a sheltered spot, out of the wind, with plenty of sun and moist, organically rich soil.
Magnolia trees like consistently moist soil and struggle during times of drought. Be sure to stay on top of watering and keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Check out the U.S. Drought Monitor to determine the current drought conditions for your area.
The pretty pink flowers of Centennial Blush star magnolia open in early spring. Image credit: Bailey Nurseries/Tracy Walsh
The Centennial Blush star magnolia naturally grows in a compact oval shape and has little need for pruning, other than cleaning out dead and damaged branches. This small compact flowering tree is relatively unbothered by pests or diseases and is considered to be a deer resistant tree, too.
Deer tend to leave this star magnolia alone, making it the perfect low maintenance choice for gardeners with deer problems (sadly, no plant is 100% deer proof).
Plant a Centennial Blush star magnolia as a specimen tree in the front yard, or along a walkway where its spring beauty can be fully appreciated. Its unique form and delicate pink blooms make it an eye-catching focal point in small frontwards, narrow side yards, and smaller backyards.
Use Centennial Blush in a foundation planting or border, and underplant with low-growing perennials like creeping phlox. Combine Centennial Blush with other evergreens, shrubs, and small trees to create a mixed privacy border.
If you would like to grow a deciduous magnolia, but are worried about the potential loss of blooms due to frost damage, read about the Little Girl Magnolias - Magnolia ‘Ann’, ‘Betty’, ‘Jane’, ‘Judy’, ‘Pinkie’, ‘Randy’, ‘Ricki’, and ‘Susan’, all developed specifically to avoid frost damage.
Centennial Blush star magnolia flowers open early and can be damaged by freezing temperatures and wind - plant in a sheltered spot.
The deer resistant spring flowers of the Centennial Blush star magnolia tree. Image credit: Bailey Nurseries/Tracy Walsh
How to Plant and Grow Centennial Blush Star Magnolia
Location: Choose a sheltered location, away from drying winds, with organically rich, well-drained soil and full sunlight (6+ hours of direct sun per day). Amending the soil with organic matter (like compost or Leafgro®) will greatly improve drainage and fertility.
Planting: Like all deciduous magnolias, plant Centennial Blush star magnolia in the spring or fall when it is dormant, allowing the roots to establish before the onset of extreme hot or cold weather. Water the tree deeply after planting.
Watering: Provide regular watering, especially during dry spells, to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water at the base of the tree to avoid wetting the foliage. To promote optimal growth and flowering, consistent moisture is best for a star magnolia. For more information on watering, see “How to Water a Tree'“.
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of this small and compact spring flowering tree to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil the temperature.
Fertilizing: Star magnolias are light feeders, preferring a balanced tree and shrub fertilizer applied once a year in early spring. Over-fertilization can cause disease and insect problems.
Pruning: This small deer resistant tree requires minimal pruning. If needed, shape lightly and prune out dead branches in the spring, immediately after flowering has finished.
Delicate blush pink flowers cover the Centennial Blush star magnolia each spring. Image credit: Bailey Nurseries/Tracy Walsh
Are Centennial Blush Star Magnolias Deer Resistant?
The Centennial Blush Star Magnolia is a small, compact, spring-flowering tree prized not only for its beautiful blossoms but also for its ability to deter deer.
While no tree or plant is entirely deer proof, the Centennial Blush Star Magnolia is considered to be a deer resistant tree. Deer dislike the taste and texture of magnolias and tend to avoid them in favor of other plants they find more appetizing.
It’s essential to remember that in times of extreme food scarcity, deer may sample even the typically unappealing plants, so while the Centennial Blush Magnolia is highly deer resistant, it’s not 100% deer proof and there may be some years when the tree gets browsed and nibbled on by deer.
Rutting deer can damage a star magnolia tree, even if they don't find it appetizing to eat. During rutting season in the fall, male deer rub their antlers against trees to mark territory, attract mates, and shed the velvet covering on their antlers.
This behavior can be quite destructive, especially to young or smaller trees like the star magnolia. The bark can be stripped or scarred, and the tree’s delicate branches might break, potentially impacting its health and ability to bloom.
To protect a star magnolia or any small tree from rutting damage, consider using deer guards or protective barriers around the trunk during rutting season. Tree guards made of plastic mesh or wire fencing can create a buffer zone that prevents deer from making direct contact with the tree.
This is especially important for magnolias, which have relatively thin bark that can be vulnerable to deep scarring from antler rubbing.
Does Centennial Blush Star Magnolia Have Invasive Roots?
All magnolia trees have shallow, complex, flexible root systems with a wider spread than most other trees. Many people automatically assume these shallow, spreading roots will cause damage to sidewalks, foundations and pipes; however, this is rarely the case!
Because of their flexibility, magnolia roots actually have a low root damage potential. This low damage potential, combined with the small size of the Centennial Blush star magnolia, means roots are unlikely to cause direct damage to foundations, pipes, and sidewalks. As with all trees and shrubs, it is possible that over time small roots can invade cracks that are already present.
That said, trees should never be planted too close to a house or building. Keep in mind that the Centennial Blush star magnolia will eventually grow 10-15 feet wide and should be planted at least 5 feet away from the house.
What is Wrong With My Centennial Blush Star Magnolia Tree?
Star magnolias are a beautiful, low-maintenance addition to the landscape and suffer from few disease or pest problems. Here are a few issues to be on the lookout for:
Frost damage: Since they bloom in late winter or early spring, frost may cause damage to the buds or flowers of a star magnolia tree. After a freeze, you may notice mushy brown or blackened buds and flowers that fail to fully develop. Leaves may curl up and turn dark brown, black or purple. This does not cause long-term harm to the tree, but the flowering show may be over for the year.
Magnolia scale: Star magnolias can develop an infestation of small, oval-shaped insects called scale. These scale insects excrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and promotes the growth of sooty mold, a charcoal-black colored fungus that coats everything in the vicinity. If you notice a scale infestation on your Centennial Blush star magnolia tree, contact an ISA certified arborist for treatment.
Chlorosis: Chlorosis occurs when a tree is lacking in key nutrients like iron or manganese. A star magnolia suffering from chlorosis will develop yellow leaves with green veins and have poor, stunted growth. Chlorosis is rarely fatal and can be treated by a trained arborist - visit TreesAreGood.org to find a certified professional near you.