Magnolia, Southern ‘Little Gem’

The Southern Magnolia “Little Gem”, a dwarf cultivar, is grown in more moderate climates, roughly from Maryland and the Virginias southward. Originally developed in 1952 by Steed’s Nursery in Candor, North Carolina, it is a slower growing form with a columnar shape which reaches around 14 ft (30-35 max) high and 4 (12-14 max) ft wide. This tree grows at a slow to medium growth rate and does well in full sun, partial shade.

It is said that it looks much like its larger counterpart only at a smaller, more manageable scale.

LEAVES are shiny green, reddish underneath, Alternate, simple, pinnately veined and evergreen, 3-5 inches long by 2 inches wide, oval in shape with an entire margin. Very waxy/shiny above, and reddish tomentose below.

Its green leaves brighten the landscape throughout the year and its large white flowers are striking, not only for their beauty but for their rich fragrance.

Large, creamy white and very fragrant FLOWERS grace this broad leafed evergreen in late spring and early summer. Very showy and fragrant, 6 to 8 inches wide with large white petals. Borne singly, from May to June. Unlike the full-sized M. grandiflora the Little Gem blooms after 3 years instead of the typical 10.

Southern Magnolia FRUIT are an aggregate of follicles, green changing to red, cylindrical, 3 to 5 inches long with red seeds, 1/2 inch long. Maturing October to November. They are eaten by squirrels, rabbits, & birds, including wild turkey and other WILDLIFE.

The TWIGS are stout with white to rusty tomentum and a long (1 to 1 1/2 inches) silky white to rusty red terminal bud.

The BARK is brown to gray, thin, smooth/lenticellate when young, later with close plates or scales.

This tree lends itself well many landscaping scenarios including hedges and espaliers due to its upright, smaller stature and pliable stems/branches.