It has white creamy flowers that appear in the spring and summer and lovely deep green leaves with bronze colouring on the underside. It grows to a height of 30-35 feet, and has a 8-12-foot spread. 'Little Gem.' "Little Gem" magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora "Little Gem"), a compact evergreen tree, is a slow-grower but can sport flowers when it's only 2 to 3 years old. Even though you do not have to be extremely particular while taking care of the Little Gem Magnolia, it is still essential to prune it to prevent the aforementioned diseases. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. "Little Gem" magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora "Little Gem"), a compact evergreen tree, is a slow-grower … Excess mineral present in the soil can be prevented by watering the plant regularly and heavily. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. My Little Gem Magnolia tree is infected with Magnolia Scale (like this one pictured). The blooming period is longer, producing beautiful white, fragrant, cup-shaped flowers, from the period of mid spring to summer. The most popular and widely grown magnolia variety is “Little Gem”. Copyright © Gardenerdy & Buzzle.com, Inc. Growing Zones. The large, cream to white, cup-shaped flowers are showy and fragrant and give way to cone clusters from late summer to early fall that release small red-coated seeds. Figure 1. Uses of Little Gem Magnolia. This disease can spread due to a humid climate, excess moisture, and the presence of insects. But magnolias do respond better to pruning than many plants, and you can shape them into an espalier or privacy hedge. It's not a dwarf, as many people believe, and eventually grows 20 to 25 feet tall. The Jury Is Out – What’s the Best Weed Killer? This plant flowers at the age of 2-3 years and is therefore taken as a shrub by many people. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Plant Little Gem Magnolia trees in zones 6b to 9 for best results. However if you live in an area with mild summers or winters you can plant at these times as well. Dwarf Magnolia (M. grandiflora ‘Little Gem’) ‘Little Gem’ Magnolia is an evergreen variety that can grow to about 4 metres tall. Little Gem Magnolia Tree Care. The fruit of the Little Gem Magnolia tree is pink in color, which is visible from early to late fall. ‘Teddy Bear’ Magnolia (M. grandiflora ‘Teddy Bear’) Plant Little Gem Magnolia trees in zones 6b to 9 for best results. As aforementioned, though low-maintenance, it requires care in terms of preventing it from the various diseases. Magnolia trees are deciduous so they produce their blooms on naked stems in late winter to herald spring. Any disease may be identified by the following symptoms. Planting Time. Prune more deeply into branches in areas with fewer leaves to encourage the tree to branch out and fill in the gaps. Thereafter, I sprayed it with Garden Safe insecticide and also used BAYER ADVANCED All-in-One Rose and Flower Care Concentrate as they were readily available. Little Gem Magnolia Tree Care. The good news is that they are slow growing, and 'Little Gem', for example, a type of southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), will take 20 years to reach 20 feet. You should be careful while planting it, so that its growth does not interfere with the power lines. Victory Gardening in 2020: Spring is Not Cancelled, Green Pavement Creates Beautiful Environmental Solutions. How to Care for a Dwarf Southern Magnolia, The Best Indian Hawthorn for a Tall Hedge, Missouri Botanical Garden: Magnolia Grandiflora "Little Gem", Southern Living: Magnolia, Essential Southern Plant, Sunset: Magnolia Grandiflora "Little Gem", S&J Tree Farm and Nursery: Magnolia Little Gem, University of Washington Botanic Gardens: Gardening Answers Knowledgebase Record #635, Things That are Harmful to a Magnolia Tree. To prevent this problem, it requires a regular pruning process during early spring. It grows at a slower rate and in a manner that is upright but pyramidal. They prefer a temperate climate, and a sunny spot with a northern or eastern aspect. Trees that are limbed up, where the lower two-thirds of growth is cut off, can lead to substantial leaf drop. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Other fungal and bacterial diseases, like leaf spot, blight, scab and black mildew, hardly ever need chemical control, and the best treatment is to prune off affected branches and rake up and dispose of infected leaves. It has a dense growth habit, glossy leaves with a rusty reverse, and creamy white, perfumed flowers in spring and summer. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. It features glossy green leaves (to 5” long) that are bronze-brown underneath. It grows at a slower rate and in a manner that is upright but pyramidal. It is a tree that is indigenous to the southern parts of North America. It usually is transmitted from open wounds on the tree, and can spread and eventually kill the tree. Here's how to grow and care for magnolias in Australia.