Magnolia × loebneri 'Merrill' is a magnificent, deciduous small tree or large multi-stemmed shrub, widely regarded as the gold standard for early spring white-flowering specimens. In March and April, before the foliage emerges, the tree is completely transformed by a profusion of large, star-shaped flowers, each featuring 10–15 pure white, strap-like petals with a subtle pink flush at the base. These 10cm-wide blooms are lightly citrus-scented and are produced in such abundance they often obscure the branches entirely. Reaching an ultimate height of 5–8 metres with a broadly conical-to-rounded habit, 'Merrill' is a prestigious recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM). It is exceptionally hardy (H6) and more tolerant of varying soil types—including slightly alkaline soils—than many other Magnolia hybrids.