I can’t remember if I’m repeating myself, but back when I was in HS and riding the bus through town, one home had a Japanese magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora) in a protected spot in the yard, and I always looked at the blossoms when they came on and thought they were oh-so classy and stunning.
Rather mysterious that it has never occurred to me to plant one here….
Maybe partly it is because I have been on a plant-local kick?