Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' (Bull Bay magnolia)

Array ( [0] => Array ( [id] => 486 [is_published] => 1 [websiteID] => 5 [url] => /landscaping/bullet-proof-landscape-plants.php [page_status] => Published [number_of_ads] => 1 [can_use_editor] => 1 [last_modified_date] => 2013-09-18 00:00:00 [last_modified_by] => Alan [checked_for_duplicate_content] => [title] => Bulletproof landscape plants [heading] => Bulletproof landscape plants [meta_description] => Not all plants are equal. Many require the soil and climate (amongst other things) to be 'just right'. The plants described in this article are the ones that deserve the title of 'bulletproof' and are a good starting point for an easy-care garden. [article_category_1] => Landscaping [article_category_2] => [article_category_3] => [article_category_4] => [article_category_5] => [business_category_1] => Landscaper [business_category_2] => Garden Maintenance [business_category_3] => Garden Supplies [business_category_4] => Garden Designer [business_category_5] => Garden Tools [number_of_google_mrecs] => 1 [show_google_ad_bottom_of_page] => 1 [show_get_quotes_top_of_page] => 1 [show_get_quotes_rhs_of_page] => 1 [show_directory_search_widget] => 1 [show_trending_content_widget] => 1 [show_facebook_widget] => 1 [show_further_reading_section] => 1 [show_sponsors_section] => 1 [show_top_article_ad] => 1 ) [1] => Array ( [id] => 454 [is_published] => 1 [websiteID] => 5 [url] => /gardening/growing-banksias.php [page_status] => Published [number_of_ads] => 10 [can_use_editor] => 1 [last_modified_date] => 2013-09-16 00:00:00 [last_modified_by] => Alan [checked_for_duplicate_content] => [title] => Growing Banksias [heading] => Growing Banksias [meta_description] => Learn how to grow Banksia in your garden. [article_category_1] => Gardening [article_category_2] => [article_category_3] => [article_category_4] => [article_category_5] => [business_category_1] => Landscaper [business_category_2] => Nursery [business_category_3] => Garden Designer [business_category_4] => Landscape Architect [business_category_5] => [number_of_google_mrecs] => [show_google_ad_bottom_of_page] => [show_get_quotes_top_of_page] => [show_get_quotes_rhs_of_page] => [show_directory_search_widget] => [show_trending_content_widget] => [show_facebook_widget] => [show_further_reading_section] => 1 [show_sponsors_section] => 0 [show_top_article_ad] => 1 ) [2] => Array ( [id] => 448 [is_published] => 1 [websiteID] => 5 [url] => /diy/diy-paving.php [page_status] => Published [number_of_ads] => 12 [can_use_editor] => 1 [last_modified_date] => 2013-09-15 00:00:00 [last_modified_by] => Alan [checked_for_duplicate_content] => [title] => DIY Paving in 4 easy steps [heading] => DIY Paving in 4 easy steps [meta_description] => Paving is not as hard as you may think. Here are four easy steps to creating a paved courtyard. [article_category_1] => DIY [article_category_2] => [article_category_3] => [article_category_4] => [article_category_5] => [business_category_1] => Landscaper [business_category_2] => [business_category_3] => [business_category_4] => [business_category_5] => [number_of_google_mrecs] => [show_google_ad_bottom_of_page] => [show_get_quotes_top_of_page] => [show_get_quotes_rhs_of_page] => [show_directory_search_widget] => [show_trending_content_widget] => [show_facebook_widget] => [show_further_reading_section] => 1 [show_sponsors_section] => 0 [show_top_article_ad] => 1 ) [3] => Array ( [id] => 526 [is_published] => 1 [websiteID] => 5 [url] => /gardening/microclimates.php [page_status] => Published [number_of_ads] => 3 [can_use_editor] => 1 [last_modified_date] => 2013-09-16 00:00:00 [last_modified_by] => Alan [checked_for_duplicate_content] => [title] => Microclimates in your garden [heading] => Microclimates in your garden [meta_description] => Did you know your whole garden may be a microclimate that allows you to grow plants that would not thrive on the other side of the street? Read this article to learn more. [article_category_1] => Gardening [article_category_2] => [article_category_3] => [article_category_4] => [article_category_5] => [business_category_1] => Landscaper [business_category_2] => Nursery [business_category_3] => Garden Designer [business_category_4] => Landscape Architect [business_category_5] => [number_of_google_mrecs] => 1 [show_google_ad_bottom_of_page] => 1 [show_get_quotes_top_of_page] => 1 [show_get_quotes_rhs_of_page] => 1 [show_directory_search_widget] => 1 [show_trending_content_widget] => 1 [show_facebook_widget] => 1 [show_further_reading_section] => 1 [show_sponsors_section] => 0 [show_top_article_ad] => 1 ) )

Plant description

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' is a decorative evergreen small tree with large, beautifully perfumed white flowers in spring and summer. It has lovely dense foliage, the large glossy leaves are deep green above with a thick brown velvet on the leaf reverses. Little Gem is a compact version of Magnolia grandiflora, which is a very large tree. Little Gem is a good garden choice, being compact growing to around 8 metres tall and 3 metres wide, but can be kept smaller with regular pruning. It is an easy care hardy plant that is rarely troubled by pests or disease. It naturally grows to a neat oval shape, and can also be pruned to size and shape. It is an excellent hedge plant, and can also do well in a large container.

Magnolia grandiflora likes a moist, well drained soil. It does well in full sun to part shade. Fertilise in spring with a good general purpose fertiliser. Mulch well to deter weed and to keep the soil moist. It is frost and dry tolerant when established, but will appreciate watering in dry spells.

Further reading: Hedges and Pruning a hedge in 7 steps (articles written by horticulturalist Angus Stewart).

Additional plant information

Flowers

Flower colour: white
Flowering season: spring summer

Scent

The flowers are beautifully perfumed, sweet with citrus notes

Plant size

Maximum height: 8 metres
Minimum height: 6 metres

Maximum width: 3 metres
Minimum width: not specified

Sunlight, frost & salt tolerance

This plant will tolerate full or partial sunlight.
Medium frost tolerance.
Plant is salt tolerant.

Fauna attracting?

Yes. Attracts: Butterflies, bees, insects.

Climate

This plant species will grow in the following climates: cool, temperate, subtropical.

Soil types & conditions

Loam: moist, well-drained.

Clay: moist, well-drained.

Sand: moist.

Soil pH: 5.5-7.0

Pests

Scale

Miscellaneous information

Planting season: Any.

Types of fertiliser: Good general purpose fertiliser.

Find a nursery       Search for another plant