This is an American hybrid tree developed at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston and introduced in 1939. It is a rapidly growing deciduous magnolia, which can be grown farther north than the evergreen varieties. It is a small tree that typically grows to 20-30 feet tall with a round crown and is more often in a multi-trunked form than a single trunk.

It blooms March and April in St. Louis with large, white star-like flowers, which have a pleasant fragrance. Preferring full sun to part shade, it requires a medium amount of water and maintenance and is intolerant of soil extremes, wet or dry. It has no serious disease or insect problems.

Merrill magnolia