Little Gem Southern Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-10a Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Tree

Height at Maturity: 20-25′

Width at Maturity: 8-10′

Spacing: 6′ for solid hedge; 14’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Conical, Dense, Upright

Flower Color: White

Flower Size: Large, 6-8″

Flowering Period: Late Spring to Frost!

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: Yes – extremely fragrant!

Foliage Color: Dark Green, Copper-orange undersides

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun, Morning Shade with Evening Sun

Water Needs: Average, Low when established

Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist

Soil pH: 4.5 – 7.5 (Acid to Slightly Alkaline)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Drought, Heat, Humidity, Insect

Description

For those who have limited space but want the beauty and fragrance of Southern Magnolia, unlike its larger cousins, which grow to 50 feet plus in height, ‘Little Gem’ is one of the dwarfs in the family of Southern Magnolias, maturing to a height of a little over 20 feet and a width of about 8 to 10 feet.

Though smaller in stature, there are big differences between Little Gem Magnolia and its larger cousins that make it one of those “must have” trees in gardens where it will fit and grow. No need to wait 5 or more years for flowers to come as Little Gem starts blooming at 2 years of age. You’ll also be happy to know that the large 6 to 8 inch diameter creamy white flowers have the same lemony-fresh fragrance that comes with all Southern Magnolias. The blooming period is much longer as well. Provided there is ample moisture throughout the season, Little Gem will start flowering as early as May and continue to the first frost late fall or early winter. There’s more. When planted where happy, Little Gem grows about two to three times as fast as its larger cousins. We’ve seen 2 feet or more in height added in a single growing season.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing upright to 20 to 25 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide, Little Gem Magnolia has many uses in the landscape. We use it most often in evergreen privacy screen plantings, as a focal point specimen, to frame in the corners of tall homes or other structures, or as espalier (trained to grow against a wall) on tall, open walls. Can also be grown in large pots, planters and containers of 18 inches or more in rim diameter. A fine addition to fragrance gardens, white theme gardens, bird & wildlife gardens and cottage gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 6 to 8 feet for solid privacy screens; 14 feet or more for space between trees

See: Privacy Screen Planting Tips & Instructions

Growing Preferences

Little Gem Magnolia is very easy to grow in most any average moist but well-drained soil, preferring one that is rich in organic matter. It grows well in full sun, part shade or all-day filtered sun. For best density of foliage and flowering, we suggest 4 hours or more of direct sunlight per day. Very low maintenance and never requires pruning. That said, stray branches can be pruned for shaping purposes.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, prune, feed and water Southern Magnolia trees.

How To Plant & Care For Southern Magnolia Trees

Privacy Screen Design Planting Tips & Instructions

Plant Long & Prosper!

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