Magnolia rostrata

An arresting, rare species for a sheltered garden, where it will become a spectacular medium to large tree. Huge foliage to 50cm in length emerges chestnut-felted and turns through a unique shade of violet flushed copper-green before becoming mid-green. Flowers melon-scented and creamy-white in June, similar to M. officinalis. Hardy to at least -10c with no damage, even with no days above 0c for a week (D. Hinkley pers. comm.). Naturally restricted in the wild to the mountains of N Burma (where I have had the pleasure of seeing it), SE Tibet and W Yunnan. Exceptional!