Magnolia

One of the most magificent genera. 300 plus species in North and South America and much of South and East Asia. Its an ancient group of plants with fossils found dating back over 20 million years. Evergreen trees and shrubs, with very showy, often large flowers of white through to pink, but also green, (M. acuminata). Breeding has increased colour variation to dark purples, M. 'Genie' and to yellows, M. 'Elizabeth' and M. 'Butterflies'. There are many magnificent large trees, M. grandiflora, M. campbellii, but also trees to suit the urban garden, M. stellata, M. x loebneri, M. x soulangeana and selected forms of M. grandiflora. Fruits can also be showy.