M. CONSPICUA (syn M. Yulan).—­Yulan.  China, 1789.  A large-growing shrub, with Pea-green, deciduous foliage, and large, pure white flowers that oft get damaged by the spring frosts.  M. conspicua Soulangeana is a supposed hybrid between M. conspicua and M. obovata.  Whatever may be the origin of this Magnolia, it is certainly a handsome and showy plant of very vigorous growth, producing freely its white, purple-tinted flowers, and which last for a long time in perfection.  There are several other varieties, including M. conspicua Soulangeana nigra, with dark purplish flowers; M. conspicua Alexandrina, M. conspicua Soulangeana speciosa, and M. conspicua Norbertii.

M. CORDATA, a native of the Southern Alleghanies (1801), is still rare in collections.  It is a small-growing, deciduous species, with yellow flowers, that are neither scented nor showy.

M. FRASERI (syn M. auriculata).—­Long-leaved Cucumber Tree.  North America, 1786.  This species has distinctly auriculated leaves and large, yellowish-white, fragrant flowers.

M. GLAUCA.—­Laurel Magnolia.  North America, 1688.  This is one of the commonest species in our gardens, and at the same time one of the hardiest.  It is of shrub size, with Laurel-like leaves, and sweetly-scented, small, pure white flowers, produced about the end of June.

M. GRANDIFLORA.—­North America, 1737.  One of the handsomest species, with very large, glossy, evergreen leaves, and deliciously odoriferous, creamy-white flowers, that are often fully 6 inches across.  It is usually seen as a wall plant, and the slight protection thus afforded is almost a necessity in so far as the development of the foliage and flowers is concerned.  M. grandiflora exoniensis (Exmouth Magnolia) is a very handsome form.

M. LENNEI.—­This is a garden hybrid between M. conspicua and M. obovata discolor, and has flowers as large as a goose’s egg, of a rosy-purple colour, and produced profusely.

M. MACROPHYLLA.—­North America, 1800.  This species has very large leaves and flowers, larger, perhaps, than those of any other species.  They are very showy, being white with a purple centre.  It attains a height of 30 feet.

M. OBOVATA DISCOLOR (syn M. purpurea).—­Japan, 1790.  This is a small-growing, deciduous shrub, with large, dark green leaves, and Tulip-shaped flowers, that are purple on the outside and almost white within.

M. PARVIFLORA, from Japan, with creamy-white, fragrant flowers, that are globular in shape, is a very distinct and attractive species, but cannot generally be relied upon as hardy.

M. STELLATA (syn M. Halleana).—­Japan, 1878.  A neat, small-growing, Japanese species, of bushy habit, and quite hardy in this country.  The small, white, fragrant flowers are produced abundantly, even on young plants, and as early as April.  One of the most desirable and handsome of the small-growing species.  M. stellata (pink variety) received an Award of Merit at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on March 28, 1893.  This bids fair to be really a good thing, and may best be described as a pink-flowered form of the now well-known and popular species.