Magnolia sprengeri ‘Eric Savill’

A seedling of ‘Diva’, deep red-purple flowers. Originated at Savill Garden, England, 1982. Deciduous trees or shrubs reaching 50 feet tall, with gray-brown bark and smooth twigs. Terminal buds are covered with fine yellow hairs. Leaves are 4-7 inches long, smooth above, fuzzy on the undersides. The fragrant flowers are 6-8 inches across with pale pink or white interiors and reddish purple exteriors. Stamens are purplish red.  Blooms later than other spring magnolias and so often escapes frost injury to the flowers.  (Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Gardens Plant Finder)