One of the most popular deciduous Magnolias, Magnolia x soulangeana 'Alba Superba' (Saucer Magnolia) is an upright shrub or small tree with huge, fragrant, pure white, tulip-shaped flowers, which are beautifully flushed purple-pink at their base. The blooms appear on naked branches, just as the large, oval, dark green leaves begin to unfurl in mid-spring. It creates a very impressive scene in the garden and makes a wonderful specimen flowering shrub or small tree for the landscape. This is an excellent selection for small gardens.

Smaller than most Saucer Magnolias, Magnolia x soulangeana 'Lennei' (Saucer Magnolia) is a vigorous spreading deciduous shrub with fragrant, large, 4 in. across (10 cm), goblet-shaped flowers, deep rose-purple outside and pure white inside. As the flowers mature, they open their broad, fleshy tepals, revealing white interiors and creating a bicolor effect which further adds to the beauty of the floral display. The blooms appear on naked branches in early or mid-spring before the leaves unfurl. 'Lennei' may bloom sporadically in the summer, but the flowers are usually not as colorful as those produced earlier.

A slow grower with a tight habit, Magnolia x soulangeana 'Lilliputian' is one of the smallest Saucer Magnolias and ideal for small gardens or container planting. This compact deciduous shrub or small tree boasts fragrant, goblet-shaped, pale pink flowers with delicate pink streaks along the petals and a darker base. As the flowers mature, they open their broad tepals to reveal white interiors and create a bicolor effect which further adds to the beauty of the floral display. Rich with a citrus fragrance, the blooms appear on naked branches in early spring, before the large, oval, gray-green leaves unfurl.

Magnolia x soulangeana 'Rustica Rubra' (Saucer Magnolia) is a large spreading deciduous shrub with fragrant, huge, 5 in. across (12 cm), goblet-shaped flowers, bright rosy-pink outside and pure white inside. As the flowers mature, they open their broad, fleshy tepals, revealing white interiors and creating a bicolor effect which further adds to the beauty of the floral display. Lasting for several weeks, the blooms appear on naked branches in early or mid-spring, before the leaves unfurl. The flowers are followed by very showy, bright red fruits that birds will feast on. In the fall, the dark green leaves turn a rich shade of golden bronze before shedding to the ground.

Saucer Magnolia, or Magnolia x soulangeana, is a beloved deciduous Magnolia with abundant, fragrant flowers in early to mid-spring. The goblet-shaped blooms, up to 10 in. across (25 cm), are white, pink, and purple, creating a stunning bicolor effect. The flowers appear before the obovate mid-green leaves unfurl, and the foliage turns golden brown in fall before shedding. Growing with an upright habit when young, it develops into a broad-spreading tree or multi-trunked shrub with smooth, silvery bark. A popular ornamental, it adds beauty and charm to any landscape.

While some Magnolias can be large shrubs or trees that could swallow up the average garden, there are quite a few Magnolia cultivars of smaller stature that would fit small yards.

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.

Loebner Magnolia is the hybrid result of a cross between Magnolia kobus and Magnolia stellata. It is a deciduous small tree with star-like white flowers in early to mid-spring.

Native to Japan, Magnolia stellata, also known as Star Magnolia, is a small deciduous tree with incredibly pretty star-shaped flowers in late winter or early spring. While the blossoms are fairly small, 4 in. across (10 cm), they are packed with up to 40 long and narrow tepals and are extremely showy

Considered one of the most beautiful Magnolias, Magnolia denudata is a large deciduous shrub or small tree. Upright and cup-shaped when borne, the creamy to ivory white flowers, 3 in. long (8 cm), gracefully open their 9-12 tepals as they mature, resembling lilies. The tepals sometimes display a tinge of pink at their base, adding to the beauty of the bloom.