Magnolia blues

We've had this magnolia stellata in a pot by our front door for a good number of years. Its buds emerging are always the real sign of spring for us. They bloom and fade remarkably quickly but for that brief few weeks they are glorious

Close up however and in the absence of leaves - they flower first then produce foliage - they take on an other worldly quality. I quite like this, especially set against the deep blue of the wooden fence.