Pink Magnolias

For several years, I have seen a particular variety of beautiful pink flowers blooming each spring. They resemble a magnolia flower, but they are growing on a tree that is MUCH smaller than a typical magnolia. Besides the difference in stature, the bark is different, and the overall form of the tree is different than the magnolia tree to which I am accustomed. Therefore, I imagined it to be a different genus of plants, despite the similarity of the blooms.

What I consider the "typical" magnolia tree of the Deep South is the Magnolia virginiana species. The trees are quite large, and can grow to 100 feet (30 meters) in height. They are very hardy and have thick, dark green leaves. The flowers are breathtaking, large, and possess a very sweet fragrance! They are a rather common sight in the southeastern US and are commonly seen gracing the property of antebellum dwellings.

I am very grateful to @osm0sis for her "Patterns and designs in nature - Flowers" post, which was instrumental in helping me to identify this flower. Her post depicted a similar-looking bloom referenced as Magnolia 'Susan', which is a cultivar between Magnolia liliiflora and Magnolia stellata.

Research into Magnolia 'Susan' indicates that the flower I've seen is likely to be the one that is called Magnolia × soulangeana and is commonly known as a "Saucer Magnolia." It is a cultivar between Magnolia denudata and Magnolia liliiflora. The flowers are a delicate pink color and make such a beautiful display in spring!

For comparison, here is an example of the larger flowers of the Magnolia virginiana tree that is so prominent in the southeastern US: