does just fine in my zone 5 ..... but after 6 years.. only about 4 feet high .. might not be a privacy screen .. unless you are short ....

wouldn't be surprised if it takes a year or two to get down some roots ....

no snow load issues ....

ken

Sunset Western Garden Book has it zoned 2B and up. In Colorado 2B (and up) is mostly Grand Junction, the extreme southwest corner of the state, Boulder, Denver (but not Fort Collins), Colorado Springs (barely), Pueblo and much of the southeast corner of the state.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That is good to know. I would actually prefer if it grows slowing and stays on the small side because there's an a semi-dwarf apple tree just west of where it would go and I don't want it to complete with that.

We're tall, but our yard is fairly deep, so even if it doesn't get very tall it should at least help (along with some other plantings) make it feel a little more intimate and less like we're on display to the neighbors in behind us. Right now we just have a concrete pad and then the lawn starts, so it doesn't feel very tranquil on the patio... seems like something is missing. We do have a trellis on the side of the patio so we already have some privacy from the neighbors to the side of us.

Some of the magnolias at the HD were already kind of tall (maybe 5-6 feet or so) but they were a tad pricey ($90) so I was leaning toward a smaller one. If yours does well in the cold winter temps of Michigan, then I think the buds should do fine here. I suppose the blooms could still go quickly if we have hot temps in the spring, which is not uncommon here, but it's probably worth a try.

Thanks again!

The other problem can be the blooms getting zapped by a late frost. Star magnolias bloom quite early. It is generally recommended, at least here in MN, to avoid parts of the yard that warm quickly in the spring such as south or SW exposure.

'Royal Star' is commonly sold around here and to my knowledge is considered the hardiest of the hardy Magnolias. The buds are hardy to at least -30F, and they typically flower during the last 10-14 days of April. Like all early flowering Magnolias, it can be a bit of a hit & miss proposition, with some years spectacular, but but the next wiped out by a hard freeeze. I stopped at a post office today in Hudson, WI, where they planted six of these along the west side of building. I think there would be a pretty good chance of success for you.

I see a fair number of them around Denver. They're subject to the typical establishment risks of any new tree, but seem hardy enough after that. The main problem is that the flowers are apt to open before the late frosts, so some years you get an abbreviated bloom period.

There are three in Denver's Washington Park near the corner of Franklin & Exposition, ranging from 5 to 10 ft. tall. Also near there, in the front yard of 522 S. Franklin, is a small one (planted about three years ago).

I haven't seen any blooming yet, though some of the Magnolia x soulangeana are in bloom right now, most magnificently at the moment a mature specimen at approximately 708 S. Downing St.

Thank you all for the great responses! I'm in the Boulder area so it's encouraging to know that there are some not too far away in Denver. My sister used to live on S. Franklin so I'm somewhat familiar with that Wash. Park area and next time I'm in that area will definitely check out the ones at the addresses you mentioned, cacau.

Our backyard is south facing, which sounds like it's not ideal, but I'm encouraged enough by it's hardiness to give it a go. I'm a relative newbie to landscaping so am loving this forum. Thanks so much again!!

Today I saw that two of the three star mags in Wash Park are blooming right now. This is early even for them, and for the soulangeana as well. All our winter came in December and January this time. The early mags may complete their bloom cycle this year before the next freeze hits, so we'll only have to worry about damage to the other plants. BTW, the tree at 522 S. Franklin is a soulangeana, not a star.

my star has NEVER been affected by frost .... which should be apparent since the buds have been on the bush since last fall .. and if winter doesnt kill them ... frost sure isnt ....

saucer mag., on the other hand.. is almost a waste .... i watch those buds elongate for weeks.. and as God is my witness .. 9 out of 10 years.. it will either frost the night before opening.. or we will have a wind storm from hell which will shred the flowers the moment they open ... go figure.. such is gardening ... lol

ken

Ken- It's encouraging to know that frost hasn't affected your star, because I did get and plant the star almost a month ago, and the poor thing has already been through a couple of frosts, a few inches of snow, and a crazy wind storm. Now it's freezing again and a big storm is headed our way that is supposed to drop 6-12. All the blooms died with the first frost and snow a couple weeks ago, but I don't care about this year's blooms. As long as it leafs out and survives our crazy Colorado spring I'll be happy.