So THAT'S why they call it grandiflora magnolia!

The magnolia tree started blooming. The blossoms are a foot across! Here are three photos, one with a early bloom, the next with one about to pop, and a third that has opened. The last photo are of petals that had fallen from blossoms gone by. The petals are very white but leathery and thick. I put a quarter on one for scale.

The Magnolia is gorgeous and now the addition of the blossoms dotting the tree with more to come has just made me love it even more.