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If you’re a Southern magnolia tree fan but have a small yard, then the little gem magnolia tree is for you.
Magnolia grandiflora, ‘Little gem,’ is a dwarf variety that is much smaller, growing only up to 20 feet tall but bearing the exact beauty of glossy foliage and creamy, tan flowers.
These little gems are the perfect addition to a landscape, whether as a hedge border to serve as a privacy screen or as a lone accent small tree in small yards. Keep reading to know more about the little gem magnolia tree.
More About Little Gem Magnolia Tree
Apart from being smaller, the Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little gem’ is a slower grower than the original Southern magnolia tree. It’s also an evergreen tree or a multi-stemmed shrub that’s dense, compact, and upright.
The blooms arrive early, about two to three years after planting. Each flower is about 4 to 6 inches in diameter with six petals in white or cream color. These flowers are very showy and fragrant, making the whole little gem tree a real gem in your garden.
The blooming season begins in mid-spring and lasts through summer.
Its foliage is equally appealing, boasting a dark green, glossy surface and copper brown underneath. Each leaf has a simple leaf margin and is about 3 to 6 inches long with an elliptical shape.
Not only is little gem an attraction to humans, but it also invites birds and other wildlife to come and visit. This species is deer-resistant, so there is no need to worry if some deer occasionally visit you. If you don’t have enough space, you can plant this dwarf variety indoors in a container.
It has a slow growth rate so that it won’t bother you much.
Little Gem Magnolia Tree Care
Depending on your location, the Southern Magnolia little gem will require medium to high maintenance. But once you provide the basics of its growing requirements, it will be easy to maintain.
There is no need to worry about adverse conditions such as salt and pollution, as Little Gem Magnolia is tolerant of those.
Soil
The gem magnolia tree is very adaptable to different soil conditions and types, whether it’s loam, sand, or clay soils, as long as it’s well drained. An acidic soil is also preferred. When little gem magnolia is newly planted, it’s better to maintain moist soil as it helps the tree establish a deep root system.
Established magnolia trees will tolerate dry soil or even flooding to some extent.
Light
Full sun is a well-loved light condition that makes gem magnolia trees happy. Plant it in locations with access to direct sunlight for at least 6 hours daily.
No worries if your place only receives partial shade because little gem southern magnolia can also tolerate that. As long as it gets sunlight for about 2 to 6 hours a day, then it’ll be fine.
Water
Young magnolia trees will require regular watering. This means you’ll need to provide deep watering thrice weekly to ensure it develops a sound root system. Providing enough water is critical to prevent stunted growth.
It would help to add mulch at the base to conserve moisture.
Once the tree is established in the ground, it can be moderately drought-tolerant. You can adjust the watering frequency to once a week during summer.
Temperature & Humidity
Little gem magnolia trees will thrive in the US Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 to 10a. It can survive cold temperatures but not below -10°F (-23.3). Such conditions can lead to the mortality of gem magnolia trees.
Fertilizer
It’s best to fertilize your magnolias with a slow-release fertilizer with a balanced formulation of 10-10-10 or 8-8-8. Apply this during the Spring season to help boost the tree’s growth and produce new foliage.
Make sure the soil is well-watered after fertilizer application.
Pruning
You can prune your little gem magnolia tree in late summer after the flowers have faded. Keep pruning down to a minimum, prioritizing the dead and diseased branches. It would be best to allow the lower branches to reach the ground and prune the upper portion to achieve a triangular shape.
Propagation
You’ve got many options to choose from when it comes to propagating a magnolia tree. You can propagate through seeds, softwood cuttings, grafting, or budding. Using seeds can be time-consuming, so most gardeners opt for asexual propagation methods.
If you have an existing gem magnolia, look for newly developed shoots and cut stems about 6 to 8 inches long. Remove the lower leaves and retain only two on top. Dip the cuttings into the rooting hormone and insert it in a potting mix.
Water the newly planted cutting regularly and maintain high humidity around it until it develops its roots.
Little Gem Magnolia Similar Trees
Camelia japonica
Commonly known as Japanese camellia, this species is a famous ornamental tree like the gem magnolia tree. The foliage is evergreen with a glossy surface, and its flowers are stunningly red, which is very showy.
Japanese camellia is almost the same height as the little gem magnolia tree, so they make good companions in a garden.
Calycanthus chinensis
The pinkish-white flowers of Chinese sweetshrub closely resemble that of a magnolia. This species is a tree-like shrub with deciduous glossy leaves, growing to a height of around 6 to 9 feet.
Liriodendron tulipifera
Like the magnolia tree, the tulip tree produces vast, stunning yellow flowers that are very fragrant. These flowers resemble the appearance of a tulip, hence its name. Its leaves have a distinct shape, almost rectangular, which later turn yellow and drop during the fall season.
Little Gem Magnolia Common Diseases And Pests
Some pests that may cause problems in little gem magnolia trees include scale, tulip-poplar weevil, and magnolia borer. Scales and weevils attack the foliage, and infected leaves may look unsightly with heavy infestation. You can use horticultural oil to get rid of them.
But you better switch to chemical control if you have numerous infested trees.
Black mildew, blights, scabs, leaf spots, verticillium wilt, and cankers are some diseases that may occur in susceptible magnolia trees. Proper pruning and disposal of diseased leaves and branches will help manage the spread of these diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
A slow-release balanced fertilizer is good for a little gem magnolia tree. Apply them during the growing season in Spring and it will boost the growth of your tree.
No. Little gem magnolia tree requires very little pruning and if you try to cut the top, it will severely damage the plant. Heavy pruning will leave an open wound that might become an entry point for disease-causing organisms making the tree susceptible.
Yes, the Miracle-Gro® Tree & Shrub Plant Food Spikes is a good option for magnolia trees. It helps promote strong trees and shrubs while boosting foliage growth.
Plantly has an offering of magnolia seeds that you can use to start planting a magnolia tree.
Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!
