Magnolia, Little Gem Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' Height: 25 feet Spread: 15 feet
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Hardiness Zone: 6a Other Names: Southern Magnolia Description: A wonderful fast growing magnolia which features large white, fragrant flowers in spring on this compact tree; makes an ideal front yard accent tree, needs protection from strong winds. Ornamental Features Magnolia, Little Gem is blanketed in stunning fragrant white cup-shaped flowers held atop the branches from mid spring to early summer. It has dark green evergreen foliage. The large pointy leaves remain dark green throughout the winter. The fruits are showy pink pods displayed from early to late fall. Landscape Attributes Magnolia, Little Gem is an evergreen tree with a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage. This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics. Magnolia, Little Gem is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Magnolia, Little Gem will grow to be about 25 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 6 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more. This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. This plant should be periodically fertilized throughout the active growing season with a specially-formulated acidic fertilizer. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species. Clean up Rating (1-5) 1=least effort 5=most effort Clean Up Rating (3): Blooms and leaves can be blown or raked onto the lawn and mowed or bagged. Seed pods are oblong 3 to 5 inches long and clean up by blowing or raking into a pile and bag them. Magnolias need protection from strong winds. Evergreens need to be watered during the winter. Our desert climate especially in late winter to early spring evergreens can suffer during next growing season. An easy way to remember check for dryness on the holidays Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, Valentines Day & Easter. During the growing season maintain regular deep watering.
