Slow growing and easy to maintain the Magnolia stellata is a perfect specimen for a front garden.  The beautiful white flowers appear in early spring before the bright green leaves.  If you get close, you’ll be able to catch it’s scent so if possible position it where you can walk past it regularly.

Contrast it against a dark evergreen background either in a border or as a central feature in a bed or large container.  It likes a a bit of ericaceous (acidic) compost but is not too fussy.

Cultivars are available, some of which have traces of pink in the flowers.  Magnolia stellata ‘Rubra’ actually has dark pink flowers.