The cooler spring conditions means the magnolia flowers are darker this year. Cleopatra, the flower pictured above was released last year. We have finally been able to get the colour pretty close to real life. It starts out an unusual rich reddish purple, opening to a more pinkish purple, with the colour changing steadily over many days. Magnolia tepals also have minute hairs on the surface that makes them reflect light, giving Cleopatra an almost metallic sheen in sunlight. Thanks to Martin Boettel  www.m-b-images.com , we have this image.