Just as its name suggests, this tree is quite a Little Gem' with all the wonderful qualities you'd want from a magnolia and more! Also known as the dwarf southern magnolia tree, the Little Gem Magnolia tree is a beautiful evergreen tree that boasts cool shade and fragrant flowers all summer long. The Magnolia grandiflora Little Gem tree features smaller dark green foliage and a very compact narrow form and grows much slower than its other Magnolia relatives. The evergreen leaves of this southern tree are leathery with a deep glossy green color on top and fuzzy, rusty-brown undersides. Little Gem magnolia trees produce large, fragrant, creamy white, saucer shaped flowers that are 4-6 inches wide. Their beautiful and creamy white flowers bloom in the early spring to early summer growing season. These hardy shade trees have a bronze brown bark all year long that looks nice paired with the glossy leaves. The white fragrant flowers on the Little Gem Magnolia Tree will give way to spherical, cone-like fruiting clusters that mature in the late summer to early fall months of the year. They release individual rose-red coated seeds suspended on slender threads at maturity. These seeds are food sources for many types of wildlife including birds, squirrels, and deer.

• In size, Little Gem magnolia trees are dwarf sized Southern magnolia trees and tend to be on the smaller side in comparison. The full grown magnolia Little Gem magnolia tree can grow to a height of around 15 to 20 feet tall. It can spread 7 to 10 feet wide, making it a great choice of tree for shade.
• It has a slow growth rate of fewer than 12 inches every year and it can take around 20 years for a dwarf Little Gem magnolia tree to reach full maturity, giving you more time to enjoy the scent of its summer flowers.
• To give Little Gem magnolia trees enough room to spread, be sure to plant them at least 5 feet away from your home, that way they can stretch and provide ample shade. If planting a Little Gem Magnolia hedge, space the flowering trees at around 4 feet which is a little closer so the trees mesh and provide some seclusion. They are the perfect small trees for privacy if you are not looking for height.
• It can be moderately drought tolerant after the root system establishes. The Little Gem is useful in small gardens or landscapes and does well with seacoast exposure as it is salt tolerant. They are also pest and disease resistant and very easy to grow. Not the most cold hardy flowering magnolia tree as it does better in the southeastern United States. Grow this Little Gem southern magnolia in USDA plant hardiness zones 6-10. If you are looking for a more cold hardy evergreen tree check out the Brackens Brown Beauty Magnolia.
• To plant Little Gem magnolia trees start by choosing the right spot in your landscape. This native privacy tree prefers full sun to partial shade. The Little Gem magnolia tree is generally tolerant of soil extremes including acidic soils as long as it is well drained soil. Be sure to apply a thick 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch surrounding the root ball to help retain moisture. Be sure to water it thoroughly to help the Little Gem establish itself.
• No! The are very easy to grow & take care of. Occasional pruning to maintain its shape is okay, but not necessary. The best time to prune Little Gem magnolia trees is in late spring and summer. Be sure to wait until its flowers have faded before pruning to get the most out of the flowering season.