I’ve been a fan of magnolias for pretty much all my adult life. They have arguably the largest flowers and largest individual leaves of any trees and shrubs hardy to the UK. If you want something to fill a corner of the garden with colour, in most spectacular fashion, then magnolias are a perfect choice.
However, you will have to choose carefully if your garden is very small, as many magnolias grow large. And if the spot you have in mind is in shade, then you’d be better off going for a rhododendron or camellia. Magnolias are not for everyone, but if you have the space and the right conditions, they are not difficult to care for, and even one tree in full glory will turn the heads of