Looking for a beautiful and unique addition to your garden or landscape? Look no further than Magnolia liliiflora, also known as Mulan magnolia, purple magnolia, lily magnolia, and more. This small tree is native to southwest China but has been cultivated for centuries in other parts of China and Japan. Its large, pink to purple showy flowers bloom in early spring, before the leaf buds emerge. As a deciduous shrub or small tree, it reaches heights of up to 4m, smaller than many other magnolias. This species is also the parent of the popular hybrid Saucer magnolia, M. x soulangeana. Don't confuse it with Magnolia liliifera – Magnolia liliiflora is a must-have for any plant enthusiast.