"Magnolias! How rarely do we see these glorious plants in gardens. They are breath-taking in their loveliness, and though they are not as fool-proof as some shrubs that are not difficult to establish is leaf mould is incorporated into the soil in which they are to grow...Magnolia Denudata syn. Conspicua is a most exquisite thing; it is almost too much to see it in full bloom against a blue sky! These white varieties which bear their flowers on the leafless and softly grey brown branches in spring are simply glorious." "A Gardener's Log", p. 131