‘Little Gem’ is a much smaller (dwarf) and slower-growing cultivar of the beautiful Southern magnolia of the magnolia family (Magnoliaceae). 'Little Gem' typically grows as a compact, upright, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree to 20 feet tall over the first 20 years. It grows well in full sun to partial shade and is reliable in zones 7 through 9. This small tree is moderately salt-tolerant, best grown in moist, organically rich, well-drained loams, and is generally intolerant of soil extremes (dry or wet). While considered a broadleaf evergreen, it may become deciduous in harsh winters and is intolerant of many urban pollutants. 'Little Gem' has fragrant flowers up to 4 inches in diameter. Leaves are glossy green above and bronze-brown on the underside. Flowers give way to spherical cone-like fruiting clusters (to 3 to 5 inches long) that mature in late summer to early fall, releasing individual rose-red coated seeds suspended on slender threads at maturity. Leaf litter in both spring and fall can be high maintenance. As a small cultivar of a classic southern tree, 'Little Gem' can effectively be used as a flowering evergreen in lawns, near decks or patios or as a small tree in selected urban settings. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Scale is an occasional pest. More information on Magnolia grandiflora .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Often confused withMagnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris'