Royal Star

One of my neighbors is a master gardener and after I fruitlessly searched the internet I did the simple thing and asked my neighbor to identify the mystery miniature tree. Well, not to keep you in suspense any longer it is a Japanese Magnolia. From my neighbor I found there are dozens of varieties of Japanese Magnolias and this petite one in the yard is one of a variety that can grow into a large tree. Also, blooming in profusion around Portland is the more familiar pink variety, that I have heard called "tulip trees," when I lived in Alabama.

Close look at a bloom and bud on the Japanese Magnolia

This variety is the Royal Star Magnolia. The following information is from the Willis Orchard Company web site.
Willis Orchard

"The Royal Star Magnolia tree is a beautiful tree, able to grow 15 feet tall by 10 to 15 feet wide.

It is deciduous, with multiple branches that are close to the ground, and fragrant white star-like

flowers that have a slight shade of pink."


 From there I found the botanical name - Magnolia stellata -  and went to Wikipedia for the in depth
information.  

Magnolia stellata Wikipedia

The Royal Star is native to Japan and the Tulip Magnolia is originally from China but has been cultivated for centuries in Japan.

Just went out in the rain and am editing this post to add a photo of the more common Japanese  (Tulip) Magnolia.

These grow profusely in the South. They were in full bloom  last weekend, which was a beautiful, sunny, Easter weekend. Today they are rapidly shedding their blossoms.

Magnolia Liliiflora