This deciduous shrub to small tree usually has multiple trunks and forms a rounded crown. It has ovate glossy dark green leaves and the large tulip-shaped flowers are dark purple fading to white on the inside and appear solitary in early spring.

Hardiness zones 8 to 9

Magnolia liliiflora is naturally found in China growing in woodlands in well-drained fertile moist soil in a protected sunny position and is drought tender but frost tolerant. 

The Lily Magnolia is grown for its flowers and rounded habit. It is planted in parks gardens as a lawn specimen or used along borders for a summer screen. It is also used as a shade tree establishing in 3 to 5 years and is long lived. It is suitable for low-mountain regions and when young it can be grown in large tubs or planter boxes. It has shallow feeding roots that respond to mulching and care should be taken when weeding at the base. It is moderately deer resistant. ID 475

Magnolia (mag-NO-lee-uh) liliiflora (lee-lee-i-FLO-ra)

'Magnolia': after a Director of the Montpellier Botanic Gardens, Professor Pierre Magnol; 'quinquepeta': five petalled.

Magnoliaceae (mag-NOL-ee-AY-see-ee)