September Plant of the Month: ‘Little Gem’ Magnolia

By Judy Weaver

Mobile County Master Gardener Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ is a dwarf and slower growing cultivar of the Southern magnolia and part of the Magnoliaceae family.  A flowering evergreen that can be grown as a small tree, ‘Little Gem’ grows to 20 feet tall over its first 20 years.  It is happy in full sun to partial shade with moist, organically rich and well drained soil.  The broadleaf evergreen (reliable in zones 7 through 9) has fragrant flowers, up to 4 inches in diameter, and glossy green leaves with a bronze underside.  It is moderately salt tolerant.  Scale is an occasional pest and magnolia leaf litter can require significant maintenance in the spring and fall.