Small Tepal Flower of 'Little Gem' Magnolia

Small 5-6 Year Old ‘Little Gem’ Magnolia

Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is remarkably hardy in USDA zone 6. This evergreen magnolia prefers a moist well-drained, slightly acidic soil, and planted in a partial to full sun location.  It is a long-lived large 70-80 feet tall tree, best suited to large commercial and residential properties, golf courses and public parks.

Four dwarf cultivars are available at garden centers:

• ‘Little Gem’ and ‘Hasse’ (35-40 feet in height)
• Teddy Bear® and ‘Kay Parris’ (25-30 feet in height)

Little Gem is most popular and grows very shrub-like. Little Gem may encompass 20 or more feet of ground area. Hasse exhibits a tree-like habit and branching is primarily upright. Teddy Bear and Kay Parris grow slowly and are better selections for small landscapes.

Regarding the dwarf cultivars, the leaves and flowers are proportionally smaller that the species. The glossy foliage is thick and leathery, and dark green over both the upper and lower surfaces. Kay Parris foliage is reddish brown on the underside.

Goblet shaped flowers open intermittently from late spring through summer and are very fragrant. On trees ten years and older, one to several blooms open almost every day from May until late September. Ornate cone-like seed pods form after flower have shed their creamy white tepals (petals).

Pruning is rarely needed unless you desire to limb up the lower branches (for mowing under and such). Evergreen leaves drop through most of the year, most noticeable in late winter and early spring.