Magnolia  ashei

The Dwarf Bigleaf Magnolia is an upright deciduous tree (really a very large shrub) up to around 30 feet in height. This deciduous magnolia is best known for its huge leaves of two feet or more in length. The large white fragrant flowers (early summer) are equally impressive, up to a foot or more across once the tepals have reflexed out. This stunning landscape plant performs best in rich moist soil with some protection from strong winds. Native to sheltered woodlands in the southeastern US. While the foliage is not as impressively large as the closely related M. macrophylla, this species has the advantage of flowering at a much younger age.