184 ARISTOCRATS OF THE GARDEN 



M. obovata, M. purpurea or M. discolor, but correctly 

 as M. liliflora), which reached England in 1790. This, 

 like the Yulan, has long been cultivated in China and 

 Japan, but it has not yet been authoritatively re- 

 ported in a wild state. It is a much less hardy plant 

 than the Yulan and appears to be always a shrub. In 

 this country it is well known and thrives in gardens 

 south of Philadelphia. The flowers are dark wine-red 

 and very handsome. Under cultivation in Europe 

 several hybrids between M. denudata and M. liliflora 

 have been raised. The oldest and best known of 

 these hybrids is Soulangeana, with flowers suffused 

 with rose. This is a hardy and vigorous-growing 

 tree and some very fine examples are known in this 

 country. Others of these hybrids are rustica rubra, 

 with deep rose-colored flowers; and Lennei, which 

 originated in Italy, has rich crimson-purple flowers, 

 and blossoms late. Both are strong-growing, free- 

 flowering plants. 



In 1862, Dr. George R. Hall, on his return from 

 Japan, brought with him and handed over to Mr. S. 

 B. Parsons, at Flushing, L. I., a collection of plants that 

 have proved of immense value to gardens. Among 

 the many good things was a Magnolia, which Parsons 

 afterward distributed as M. Halleana to commemo- 

 rate the name of its introducer. Unfortunately, how- 



