Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ (Southern Magnolia)

Perfect for smaller gardens, Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ (Southern Magnolia) is a dense and compact evergreen tree of narrowly columnar habit. Lightly scented, white flowers, 4 in. across (10 cm), appear at the tips of thick, tough stems in late spring to mid-summer. The evergreen foliage of smooth, leathery, oblong-elliptic leaves, 5 in. long (12 cm), is shiny dark green above and brown-felted underneath. Prized for its smaller size, attractive evergreen foliage, and fragrant flowers, Little Gem is a popular magnolia for small spaces.

• Grows up to 15-20 ft. tall (450-600 cm) and 7-10 ft. wide (210-300 cm)
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in organically rich, moist, preferably neutral to acid, well-drained soils. Tolerant to sandy to heavy clay soils when established. Does not withstand extreme drought or wetness or pollution.
• Perfect as a specimen plant. Great in lawns, as a small street tree, or in containers. Also may be grown as a screen or hedge.
• Low maintenance, this beautiful tree is not subject to serious insect or disease issues. Keep an eye out for horse chestnut scale, capsid bug, coral spot, and honey fungus. Deer rarely bother Southern Magnolia.
• No routine pruning is necessary. Remove diseased, damaged, congested, or crossing shoots. If pruning is desired, prune after blooming during the growing season because dormant magnolias do not easily heal.
• Older leaves drop during late spring and summer. This can be a problem in well-manicured landscapes.
• Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings from late summer to early autumn, grafting in winter, chip budding in summer or layering in early spring.
• Magnolia grandiflora species is native to the southeastern United States.