For those who recommended magnolia stellata...

[RatherBeOnThePiste]

I am enormously grateful!! It is in full glory now and is absolutely stunning. Currently its in a tub but will be transferred. It's lovely and you were all right!
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Are you talking about a tree? How much was it and can they stay potted? We have a bare patch of lawn but our house is rented.

Not a tree but a bush. It will grow to about 5ft so ultimately it will go in the garden but the advice I had was that it was fine in a pot for now. It certainly looks very happy. It was about £20

It really is extraordinarily lovely.

My first magnolia stellata died but I have just ordered a new one at a ridiculously low price (about £2.50) from J Parker. No doubt it'll be a teeny-weeny plant, but even so ...

I had a look at that website, why do you suppose you are only allowed one?! Yes, it may well be small, there doesn't seem to be any indication of how big it is. Let us know!

I'm guessing it's a sort of rationing, perhaps to make sure that unscrupulous nursery owners don't buy the entire stock and then flog them for £15 each! It should be delivered soon, so I'll let you all know.

I got some stellatas from Parkers. They are indeed tiny (10-12") the ones I had. Originally bought 3. Then got another 2 because I wanted them as an alternative hedge and they looked pitiful. Five years on though and they look amazing. (But we sold the house last year so they're not mine any more. Just walk past the house and admire.) Wondering about getting some for here.