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hi Chris
I have just googled images for "purple Magnolia" and there are some beautiful photos, especially the Japanese purple magnolia.

Indeed, jazzy, but most are white. It still seems perverse - like defining "bluebell" as "pink" because occasionally they are!

I know you're not happy with the clue, so just enjoy the puctures :) I have been busy digging out some huge invasive sedge plants (pendulous carex) which seem to have grown by a foot or more in the last few days.

Don't envy you that - is it a wet area?
My personal bete noire is Iris sibirica. I love them when they are flowering, but dividing them is very hard work!

I think it is just the continuous rain here that has caused the growth. I left a wild patch, untouched, to see what appeared and the sedge suddenly arrived from nowhere.
My Iris sibirica are just about ready to flower. I have them dotted all over the garden

Good Morning Chris
I have just discovered that the clue to 8a was

"Feel unwell playing sport, briefly, turning PURPLISH (8)

Morning jazzy
Better, but I'm still not convinced! Go in to B&Q and ask for a tin of magnolia paint and I'd bet that it wouldn't be purplish...

Yes, better and the thematic crossword clues had some connection to TREE and not paint :) I am off in the rain ....have a good day

Best of luck! I'm just going to sit and watch our rain. Hope it's better tomorrow - I'm playing in a Seniors' Open golf competition.