Culture
Best grown in moist, organically rich, well-drained loams in full sun to part shade. Part shade may be best. It is generally intolerant of soil extremes (dry or wet). It is also intolerant of many urban pollutants. Trees will become quite large over time and should be planted in areas where they can expand. Reliably hardy in Zones 7-9. Can be grown in Zone 6 if sited in a protected location. Plants may become somewhat deciduous in hard winters.
'Little Gem' is winter hardy to USDA Zone 7. It is not considered reliably winter hardy in the St. Louis area. If grown in St. Louis, it should be sited in a protected location (e.g., southern side of a building) that is sheltered from wind. May become somewhat deciduous in hard winters.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Magnolia grandiflora is a broadleaf evergreen tree that is noted for its attractive dark green leaves and its large, extremely fragrant flowers. It typically grows to 60-80’ tall with a pyramidal to rounded crown. This is a magnificent tree of the South. It is native to moist wooded areas in the southeastern United States from North Carolina to Florida and Texas. Leathery evergreen ovate to elliptic leaves (to 10” long) are glossy dark green above and variable pale green to gray-brown beneath. Fragrant white flowers (to 8-12” diameter) usually have six petals. Flowers bloom in late spring, with sparse continued flowering throughout the summer. Flowers 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.
Genus name honors Pierre Magnol, French botanist (1638-1715).
Specific epithet is from Latin meaning large flowers.
'Little Gem' is a much smaller and slower growing cultivar that typically grows as a compact upright multi-stemmed shrub or small tree to 20' tall over the first 20 years. It features glossy green leaves (to 5" long) that are bronze-brown underneath. Leaves typically drop to the ground in spring as new foliage emerges. Fragrant white flowers (to 4" diameter) bloom in summer.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Small evergreen flowering tree effective in lawns, near decks/patios, small street tree or in large containers. Also may be grown as a screen or hedge.