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Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' is often confused with:
Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris' Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris'
Native alternative(s) for Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem':
Cornus alternifolia Cornus alternifolia
Magnolia grandiflora Magnolia grandiflora
Prunus serotina Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Buddleja davidii Buddleia davidii
Buddleja salviifolia
Gardenia jasminoides 'Jubilation'
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' has some common insect problems:
Magnolia Scale
Yellow Poplar Weevil
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' has some common disease problems:
Sooty Molds

Little Gem Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
mag-NOL-ee-ah gran-dih-FLOR-uh
Description

‘Little Gem’ is a much smaller (dwarf) and slower-growing cultivar of the Southern magnolia or Large tree magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) that typically grows as a compact, upright, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree to 20’ tall over the first 20 years.  Learn more about "Magnolia grandiflora".  Leaves are glossy green above and bronze-brown on the underside.  lowers give way to spherical cone-like fruiting clusters (to 3-5” long) that mature in late summer to early fall, releasing individual rose-red coated seeds suspended on slender threads at maturity. 

This small tree is moderately salt tolerant, best grown in moist, organically rich, well-drained loams, and is generally intolerant of soil extremes (dry or wet).  Intolerant of many urban pollutants.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Scale is an occasional pest.  Leaf litter in both spring and fall can be high maintenance.  

More information on Magnolia grandiflora.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Michael McCarthy Memorial Garden, All Saints Episcopal, Concord
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#white flowers#slow growing#salt tolerant#dwarf#high maintenance#messy#large flowers#mccarthy memorial garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#white flowers#slow growing#salt tolerant#dwarf#high maintenance#messy#large flowers#mccarthy memorial garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Magnolia
    Species:
    grandiflora
    Family:
    Magnoliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Dimensions:
    Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Oval
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    High
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    12-24 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Aggregate
    Follicle
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Salt
    Problems:
    Messy