ArborNote’s Tree of the Week is the Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia denudata × Magnolia liliiflora).It is a hybrid flowering plant in the genus Magnolia and family Magnoliaceae. It is one of the most commonly used magnolias in horticulture, being widely planted in the British Isles, especially in the south of England; and in the United States, especially the east and west coasts. It’s such a popular sidewalk tree because of its large, early-blooming flowers in various shades of white, pink, and purple. It was initially bred by French plantsman Étienne Soulange-Bodin (1774–1846), a retired cavalry officer in Napoleon’s army, at his château de Fromont near Paris. From France, the hybrid quickly entered cultivation in England and other parts of Europe, and also North America. Since then, plant breeders in many countries have continued to develop this plant, and over a hundred named horticultural varieties are now known!