Magnolia soulangiana bud.

Every year I intend to take a series of shots of the buds as they change and open.  Every year I start too early and the rest don't get taken.  So I am having another try.

Magnolia don't like having their roots disturbed.  This one is now in its 9th year in the garden and last year was the first year it had more than two or three flowers.  I assume that was because it was till getting its roots happily settled in its surroundings.