"gregpresley" wrote:

The tree you are talking about is a magnolia - magnolia soulangeana to be
exact. It sometimes goes by the name of tulip tree, japanese magnolia, or
saucer magnolia.
snipped

Magnolia soulangeana should be perfectly hardy in Kansas City. Ask in a local
nursery - some varieties perform better than others in different
geographical locations. They also come in different color combinations, from
nearly white through deep purple - or pink and white, purple and white, rose
and white, etc.


My mom is about 15 miles from downtown KC and was just telling me
yesterday about the local magnolias. She referred to them as "Japanese
magnolias" and said she's watched their beautiful blossoms barely open
and then turn black overnight every year for 25 years. The trees are
hearty but bloom too early to escape later frosts in that area. It
would break my heart to watch that every year.

sam
pnw z/8