Star Magnolia

Magnolia stellata

This white star magnolia graces the Northwest corner of the Newport Art Museum’s Cushing gallery built in 1920 on Belleview Avenue.  One of Newport’s prized trees, on every “tree persons” favorite list, it is a show stopper with its spreading branches of clusters of delicate fragrant flowers when in full bloom.  Once considered a variety of kobus magnolia star magnolia differs with its tepal count of 12+ white tepals with pink highlights whereas kobus magnolia displays 6-8 tepals, star magnolia is now considered its own species.