Any idea what this plant is? They were planted beside a restaurant, so probably aren’t going to get much bigger. (???) I was thinking it’s some kind of magnolia, but I don’t know if any varieties stay small. These blossoms are four-inches across. I would love to plant this early bloomer in my yard!
Sandra Spencer 
You are right! That is a star magnolia.
Thank you! I will have to track one or two down. It would be terrific to have something other than daffodils blooming in March! Do they have these in Japan?
Ditto. It is a magnolia. Have a star magnolia in the yard which is about 7 ft tall and 3 ft diameter.
Clarifying. Branches extend 3 feet. Didn’t mean it had a 3 ft trunk.
Having blooms at different times makes the garden so interesting. A 7-foot tree sounds just about right.