Little Gem Magnolia
For sale in Lawrenceville, GA
- Moderate (1-2 ft/year)
- Full Sun to Part Shade
- Cold hardy to USDA Zone 8a
- Deer resistant
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About Little Gem Magnolia
Little Gem Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem') is a dwarf cultivar of the native Southern Magnolia, bred to stay a manageable 20-25 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide instead of the 60-80 feet a standard Southern Magnolia reaches, while keeping the same glossy evergreen leaves with rusty-brown undersides and large, fragrant creamy-white flowers. It blooms first in late spring and continues sporadically through summer and into fall, giving it a far longer bloom season than most flowering trees in a Georgia landscape. Because it branches densely from near ground level, it doubles as an excellent evergreen privacy screen as well as a specimen tree, and Lawrenceville homeowners frequently plant a row along a property line to get both screening and season-long fragrant blooms. As a native species selection, it is well adapted to Piedmont clay and regional humidity, and it is more tolerant of a range of soil conditions than many ornamental trees. Its dense form and moderate growth rate of 1-2 feet per year make it slower to establish than fast conifers but longer-lived and lower-maintenance once mature.
🚚 Delivery available to Lawrenceville and all of Gwinnett County — see our service area for exact timing.
Plant Specifications
| Mature Height | 20-25 ft |
|---|---|
| Mature Width | 10-15 ft |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Water Needs | Moderate until established, then drought tolerant |
| Bloom Season | Late Spring through Summer (repeat, sporadic into fall) |
| Growth Rate | Moderate (1-2 ft/year) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8a |
| Deer Resistant | Yes |
| Pet Safe | Yes |
| Native to Georgia | Yes |
Planting Instructions & Regional Tips
Plant Little Gem Magnolia in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil, amending heavy Georgia clay minimally and mulching well to retain moisture, since magnolias have shallow, wide-spreading roots. Space plants 8-10 feet apart for a screen, or give a single specimen 15 feet of clearance. Water deeply and regularly for the first two years while the root system establishes; avoid disturbing soil near the trunk once planted.
Great For
Fast Facts
- Dwarf Southern Magnolia cultivar, native species selection
- Mature height: 20-25 ft, width 10-15 ft
- Blooms late spring through summer, sporadically into fall
- Fragrant creamy-white flowers, glossy evergreen leaves
- Deer resistant, tolerates Georgia clay soil
- Doubles as both privacy screen and flowering specimen tree
Pairs Well With
Little Gem Magnolia FAQs
How big does Little Gem Magnolia get?
Little Gem Magnolia matures to 20-25 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide, far smaller than a standard Southern Magnolia's 60-80 foot height. This compact size makes it practical as a flowering privacy screen or specimen tree on typical Lawrenceville residential lots.
How long does Little Gem Magnolia bloom?
Little Gem Magnolia produces its main flush of large, fragrant white blooms in late spring, then continues flowering sporadically through summer and into early fall. This repeat-blooming habit gives it a much longer flowering season than most Southern trees.