Magnolia × soulangean was initially bred by French plantsman Étienne Soulange-Bodin (1774–1846). He crossed Magnolia denudata with M. liliiflora in 1820, and was impressed with the results. From France, the hybrid quickly entered cultivation in other parts of Europe and also North America. Since then, plant breeders have continued to develop this magnolia, and a large number of hybrid cultivars now available featuring flowers in various shades of white, pink, rose, purple, magenta and burgundy.
I captured the magnolia blooms [cultivar unknown] in a small road-side park in Basel about two weeks ago