Evergreen Tree

Little Gem Magnolia, Dwarf Southern Magnolia, Dwarf Evergreen Magnolia

Botanical Name: Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
Height: 15-25' +
Spread: 10-12' +
Exposure: Sun to Part Shade
Care: Trim lightly as desired to shape
Extremely Deer Resistant
The Southern Magnolia is a distinctive evergreen tree with large, creamy fragrant white flowers and glossy evergreen leaves with fuzzy deep brown undersides. Flowers can be brought inside and floated in a bowl of water, and will perfume the air with their delicate fragrance. The flowers are followed by decorative seedpods filled with bright red-orange berries. 'Little Gem' is a popular dwarf cultivar of the beloved 'Southern Magnolia'. It is more compact and slower growing than the species, usually reaching about half the height or less. The leaves are also about half the size of the species while the flowers are approximately the same full size as the species. All Southern Magnolias need protection from drying winter winds, or severe windburn and defoliation can occur. Beautiful planted as a lawn specimen, the only drawback to this magnificent tree is the leaves that fall and decompose very slowly. 'Little Gem' has smaller leaves than the regular Southern Magnolia, so this is less of a problem, but there still will be some leaf shed. 'Little Gem' is suitable as a lawn specimen, in groupings, as a privacy screen or as a corner planting for a large house.