Leonard Messel Loebner Magnolia. Please note that the plant is now known as M. kobus var. loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’, whereas it was previously named M. loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’. This was said to be Sir Harold Hillier's favorite Magnolia. It is often referred to as "Pink Star Magnolia." The flowers resemble an over-sized Star Magnolia with deep purple undersides to its petals with slightly lighter tops. It is a fast upright grower when young which will then begin to broaden out. The 4-5" leaves are characteristically wavy.