Its flowers were regarded as a symbol of purity in the Tang dynasty and it was planted in the grounds of the emperor's palace.

Magnolia denudata is a rather low, rounded, thickly branched, and coarse-textured tree to 30 feet (9.1 m) tall.

The 10–16 cm white flowers that emerge from early to late spring, while beautiful and thick with a citrus-lemon fragrance, are prone to browning if subjected to frost.

It is similar to other magnolias in that it likes rich, moist soil and should be planted in a location where it is protected from elemental extremes.

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.