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, 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!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us

Plant arrived healthy 2 weeks ago. We planted it, and so far so good. We also had a flower bloomed, so that was a nice bonus.—————————–Thanks for the photo, it’s beautiful. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

AAA+ Great packing fast response quick shipping great looking tree————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

High quality plant. Very healthy. Well packed for shipment and received with no damage. As good or better than local “high-end” nursery at a lower price. Will buy from Wilson Bros again.————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Love my Little Gem Magnolia. Beautiful addition to our yard. Shipped fast. Great price.—————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

My tree arrived in just a couple of days from placing the order in perfect condition. The packaging held the tree securely so there was no shipping damage at all. It appears extremely healthy and is a beautiful specimen. I was a frequent customer at the nursery and have continued to purchase from Wilson brothers when they went “on line only” because the quality of their plants is superior to everyone else I have tried.———————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I recently purchased a little gem magnolia tree. I was skeptical as I had no luck with my last online live plant order with another company. . I took my chance and was pleasantly surprise how the tree arrived.. No limb or branch broken and the tree looked healthy, I planted it same day I received it, and so far it is dong well. The Information sheet enclosed about planting the tree was very helpful. i will definitely keep Wilson Brothers in mind the next time I have any more online live plant needs, I definitely recommend them.————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Love this tree. It is the centerpiece for my sisters Memorial garden. First year got multple blooms!——————————————————————-Thanks for the photo its beautiful! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Planted in early Spring 21 and have blooms in June~ Lovely fragrance although still small 3′, growing well where planted. Looking forward to full potential.——————————————We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂