WATERLILY STAR MAGNOLIA

Magnolia 'Waterlily' is a cultivar of the Star Magnolia celebrated for its profusion of pure white, multi-petaled flowers. It is one of the earliest magnolias to bloom in spring, often before its leaves emerge, creating a showy display. The flowers are distinctive for being larger and having significantly more tepals - sometimes up to 30 - than the standard Magnolia stellata, giving them a fluffy, waterlily-like appearance that gives it its name. It typically maintains a compact, dense, and rounded habit, making it an excellent choice for smaller gardens, foundation plantings, or as a striking specimen plant.

Waterlily Star Magnolia thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil enriched with organic matter. While it is quite cold hardy (typically to USDA Zone 4), its early blooming habit means the flower buds can be susceptible to damage from late frosts; planting it in a sheltered location can help mitigate this risk.