Among these hybrids are Magnolia cultivars that are particularly favored by gardeners for their spectacular yellow flowers. They can be grown in beds and borders, as flowering hedges or as a specimen plant. Some are ideal for small gardens thanks to their small stature.

Native to Japan, Magnolia salicifolia, also known as Anise Magnolia or Willow-Leafed Magnolia, is a medium-sized deciduous tree with scented, white flowers in early spring. Each blossom, 3-6 in. across (8-15 cm), counts 6 spreading tepals which sometimes display a tinge of pink at their base, adding to the beauty of the bloom.

Loebner Magnolia is a small deciduous tree resulting from a cross between Magnolia kobus and Magnolia stellata. Its star-like white flowers bloom in early to mid-spring and are packed with up to 15 long and narrow tepals, creating an impressive display. The fragrant flowers can be pure white, blush pink, lilac pink, or pink. They appear on naked branches before the leaves unfurl, followed by cone-like fruits that ripen to red in late summer. With a rounded habit, it makes a splendid spring flowering specimen tree for lawns or shrub borders, often grown as a multi-trunked tree.

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.

Magnolia stellata, or Star Magnolia, is a small deciduous tree prized for its incredibly pretty star-shaped flowers that bloom in late winter or early spring. Although the blossoms are small, only 4 inches across, they are packed with up to 40 long and narrow tepals and are extremely showy, appearing on naked branches before the elliptic leaves unfurl. Star Magnolia features a spreading, rounded habit that is often grown as a large oval to rounded shrub. It makes a splendid spring flowering specimen tree or large shrub for lawns, foundations, and shrub borders. The flowers are fragrant and can be pure white, pale pink, or dark pink, adding a beautiful touch to any landscape. Native to Japan

Considered one of the most beautiful Magnolias, Magnolia denudata is a large deciduous shrub or small tree. Upright and cup-shaped when borne, its creamy to ivory white flowers gracefully open their 9-12 tepals as they mature, resembling lilies. Rich with a lemon fragrance, the blooms appear on naked branches in late winter to early spring, before the ovate leaves unfurl.