If you are looking for a Magnolia with the darkest red flowers then Black Tulip is the best choice. The flowers are a dark crimson-red, tending towards purple, and have a classic goblet shape.
The flowers appear on bare branches, before the leaves emerge, heightening the dramatic effect.
You can now pre-order for next season.
Plant in a sheltered spot. Keep pruning to a minimum - if pruning is necessary then do so in mid-summer.
Black Tulip was developed in New Zealand in the 1980s by the renowned Magnolia grower Mark Jury. It is a seedling of Vulcan crossed with Iolanthe. Black Tulip features larger flowers than Vulcan, with a darker red colour.
Black Tulip is sometimes known as JURMag1. It has quickly established itself as the definitive dark red Magnolia and is widely used in Magnolia breeding programmes.