Over 130 million years ago, magnolias were among the first plants to form flowers. At that time there were no bees, but there were beetles; to this day magnolias are pollinated by beetles. One of the approximately 250 species is the evergreen Magnolia grandiflora. As a tree or multi-stemmed shrub, it grows up to 25 meters high, and its creamy white flowers are among the largest tree flowers of all, measuring 25 centimeters.

Magnolias grow in warm, moist, shady locations in southeastern North America and the Far East. The evergreen magnolia is one of the species that was native to the New World; this is evident from the fact that, like all its American cousins, it blooms in summer - after the leaves have sprouted. Unlike most other magnolia species, however, it does not shed its foliage in the fall. It has been planted as a park and avenue tree in southern Europe since the 18th century. In climatically unfavorable locations, it must survive the winter as a tub plant in the greenhouse, then the danger of snow break is also averted.

The intense floral fragrance of Periwinkle Magnolia is described as "creamy sweet with a delicate citrus nuance". This floral magnolia scent is contained in the essential oil extracted from the flowers by steam distillation. An extract is also obtained from the leaves, seeds and bark of the evergreen magnolia, which was already used by Native Americans. The bioactive substances magnolol and honokiol (the isomer of magnolol) contained in it have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In addition, there is a mild sedative effect.