Magnolia are deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs, with large showy, often fragrant flowers. The flowers usually open in spring before the leaves and are often followed by colorful cone-like fruit.
Magnolia is a large genus consisting of about 240 naturally occurring species in the wild. They are native to East and Southeast Asia with a secondary center in eastern North America, Central America, the West Indies, and some species in South America. Around 130 species are currently threatened with extinction and of those 90 are endangered or critically endangered. The conservation of magnolias [and of many other plant species] is one of the reasons that makes the work of botanical gardens very important for the future of the planet.
Because of its popularity over 1000 cultivars have been bred by magnolia hybridizers and enthusiasts and more appear every year. Much work has been spent on trying to introduce new varieties with flowers that display elusive and more unusual colors, e.g. soft yellow has become a highly desirable flower color.