This picture was taken 3 years ago on an overcast day in the San Joaquin Valley. Lennei Rubra was a seedling selection from Henderson Experimental Gardens in the early 70's. This form shows typical Lennei growth with the characteristic "cup" shaped flowers. Whereas Lennei is initially a rosy-purple in color this Magnolia when it first develops is more of a black-red, very much similar in color to a Magnolia x soulangiana 'Ruby'. I'll provide better representative images of this Magnolia next Spring.
A quick note: To those people that know Lennei, this Magnolia holds its color much longer. At the stage you see this Magnolia, Lennei would have a lot of white coloration in the tepals in comparison. The red coloration holds well in the base of the flower both inside and outside. There are only less than a handful of these around, if that many. The stock plant for this tree perished a few years ago. This Magnolia was listed in the Henderson Experimental Gardens plant catalog but was not ever offered or sold to other wholesale nurseries or retail nurseries in any quantity larger than 1 plant at a time. No, this Magnolia is not listed among the cultivars cited in the Magnolia society web page.
