I only have yellow lantern, so can't compare it to other yellow magnolias. It doesn't scream yellow, more like buttercream.

All of the yellow magnolias I've seen will bleach to a certain extent if sited in full, bright sun. So the challenge becomes finding a spot with enough light to promote good flowering and enough shade to keep the yellow coloration strong.

The first generation of yellow magnolias, 'Elizabeth' being the most common example, really were more of a cream, primrose yellow color. Further developments, Yellow Bird, Yellow Lantern and others do have deeper color.

'Golden Gift' is one of my favorites not only for the true yellow color but also for its compact habit and ability to bloom at a young age. There's also a new variety - can't remember the name - growing at the Maine Coast Botanic Garden which I saw this past spring. Very impressive color. If you go to their website, I think there is a photo of the tree in full bloom.

I have 'Elizabeth' which does fade out as it develops, and 'Miss Honeybee' which is a Magnolia acuminata cultivar or hybrid (sources vary in this, most of them call it M. acuminata subcordata or something along those lines).

It definitely does not fade out. Mine does get shade from about 3:00 to about 6:00 in the afternoon, so that may help. It also has a wonderful, somewhat citrus-like fragrance, similiar to Sweetbay or M. grandiflora. The only down side with this one is it seems to have a very short blooming period. What often happens here is that a spring heatwave in the 80's will hit when it blooms (it's slightly later than the Saucer Magnolias by a couple of days), and it will often come out and then drop in about 4-5 days total. But, I just love this thing. Otherwise, it's a well-behaved, compact little tree. I bought mine from Wayside in the early 1990's, and it's probably about 12-15 feet tall and the same spread, sort of a round butterball shape.

Here is a link that might be useful: Miss Honeybee

They get the yellow from yellow forms of cucumber tree. If you plant a yellow form of cucumber tree you avoid the white or other color influence of the other parent (M. denudata in multiple instances).

But the yellow forms are from the southern part of its wild range. And like the northern forms leaves are present at flowering time.

Many different yellow hybrids have been introduced by now, if you hunt around you can find one that is more to your liking than the common ones like 'Butterflies', 'Elizabeth' and 'Yellow Bird'. ('Yellow Bird' was selected for the large size of its flowers but in my climate these do not seem so big, as far as it goes, and it flowers with the leaves. This assessment is based on multiple examples seen here, the largest perhaps 15' or more tall so far).

"Daphne" is a new variety that's supposed to be one of the best for yellow color that holds well (see link). Not sure about hardiness, and availability is probably very limited.

Check Fairweather Gardens website - they list "Daphne" and some other yellow varieties - "Golden Gift", "Golden Sun", "Lois", "Sun Spire", "Sunsation", "Yellow Bird", and "Skyland's Best".

I planted "Butterflies" in my yard several years ago. Haven't been too impressed by the size or color of the flowers. Also subject to winter injury in exposed location.

Here are some Magnolia Society descriptions for several of the yellows:

Sun Ray - The flower is larger in size and perhaps slightly deeper yellow in color than Sundance. The plant has larger leaves and thicker stems than Sundance. Hardy to zone 5. Registered by Dr. August Kehr.

Sun Spire - has very deep yellow flowers which appear late, after frost. Thought to be hardy in zones 5-8, the tree has a very distinct fastigiate growth habit. Selected in 1997 and registered in 1999 by Kehr.

Sunburst - This floriferous, somewhat upright tree produces deep-yellow flowers; hardy in USDA zones 5-7; selected and registered (1999) by Dr. August Kehr

Sundance - Flowers barium yellow, 20 CM. in diameter; tepals are R.H.S. yellow 10B on the outside, yellow 10C-D on the inside. Registered by August E. Kehr

Sunsation - This very late flowering form has deep yellow flowers on a vigorous, somewhat spreading tree. .. this was bred by August Kehr, and registered in February 2000. A fellow magnolia breeder tells Augie that this is his best yellow selection.

Here is a link that might be useful: Daphne Magnolia

arbordave thanks for those details. I'm pretty sure I found that site but misplaced my notes. I wanted to ask about several of the ones you posted and who has had experience with them.

Broken Arrow in Connecticut has some of these "third generation" magnolias.

I think a plant that blooms later, even if there are leaves, is safer in my climate than earlier bloomers and frost risk. There's no doubt our climate is changing and unpredictable. If I can get one beautiful one growing and blooming in my front garden, I'll be happy to experiment with smaller trees elsewhere.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and thoughts

Marie

I believe 'Butterflies' is from P. Savage in Michigan and seems to have been a hit in the region. Photos from there show some nice flowerings. In maritime climates there appears to be a tendency for the flowers to be overtaken by leaves.