Magnolia maudiae (syn. Michelia maudiae)

An evergreen Magnolia from China with slightly grey-green leaves, paler beneath, and pure white, very fragrant flowers up to 15cm across in early spring. A hardy small tree for a sheltered, fairly sunny position. Likes heat, manure and iron, though grows perfectly at Westonbirt arboretum in a good acid loam. Known to have survived -14c in the USA, after good summer ripening so best in southern UK.