One of the most popular deciduous Magnolias, Magnolia x soulangeana, or Saucer Magnolia, is a spreading tree or large shrub festooned with an incredible profusion of fragrant flowers in early to mid spring. Goblet-shaped, the large white flowers, up to 10 in. across (25cm), shaded with pink and purple, gracefully open their 9 large tepals as they mature, revealing white interiors. This creates a bi-colour effect which further adds to the beauty of the floral display. The blooms appear on naked branches before the obovate mid-green leaves unfurl. The foliage turns golden brown in fall, before shedding to the ground and outlining the smooth silvery bark. Growing with an upright habit when young, it becomes more rounded and broad spreading with age and is often grown as a multi-trunked shrub. A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in consistently moist, slightly acidic, organically rich, well drained soils.