Years ago, I bought two shrubs, assured by the nurseryman that they would always be shrubs and low growers. We planted both close to the house and then they began to grow.

In succeeding years, I had two beautiful trees that had to be cut down when we had to replace the roof. Bill promised me we could get two more someday.

Last week was that day! I am now the proud owner of a star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) and a saucer magnolia (Magnolia soulangeana).

Of all the magnolias, more than 100 species and varieties, I believe these are the best performers for spring here in Ohio. Both of these small trees will grow in sun to partial shade, and benefit from a bit of shelter from the wind. The scale insect is the only threat to them.

They carry the flowers in pubescent fuzzy buds throughout the winter, then open to large delicate fragrant blooms as spring warms up. Frost often damages them and turn them brown, but the tree is unharmed.

Star magnolia blooms earliest and is often damaged by frost. But in the years in which we have milder springs, it is simply fantastic!

Expect to see blooms every year, with longer lasting blooms every three years. Saucer magnolias bloom a little later and thus its flowers are more successful at surviving the frost.

Star magnolia grows up to 15 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide. Its name comes from the huge white flowers in the shape of stars. In addition to white, they come in cream / yellow and pale pink shades.

The saucer magnolia matures to 20 to 30 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide, so plan for a bigger space. The large buds open as petals that lay flat, like a saucer. Blooms can be 6 inches across.

The base of each petal is maroon, with a white finish. Blooms are most often pink, but they come in purple / lavender and white. Both kinds of blooms are lemony fragranced and can bruise in the winds.

Though these are classified as shrubs, they can grow to a beautiful patio-sized tree with silvery bark. Though they are different from southern magnolias, they shine in the magnolia family.

The other magnolia for Ohio is the sweetbay, Magnolia virginiana, which is a summer-blooming, taller tree for the landscape. More on that one sometime in the future.

As I start my Japanese garden, I am looking at where I can put these beauties for full advantage in the coming years. I am so excited!

To learn more about star magnolia, visit http://go.osu.edu/starmagnolia.

To learn more about saucer magnolia, visit http://go.osu.edu/saucermagnolia.

Hughes is an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Mahoning County.