With large fragrant pure white flowers on bare branches magnolia x soulangeana alba superba is a magnificent spectacle in spring it is often grown in front gardens where for a few weeks is a delight to all the neighbours but it is also striking in a woodland set against a leafy background of other trees and shrubs goblet shaped buds flushed with purple45red emerge at the same time as the young leaves this magnolia has a shapely upright form height 7m 402241 spread 5m 4