Flowering trees and shrubsadd loads of charm to the home landscape.
The other is Teddy Bear magnolia.
A ten-gallon pot will accommodate, however annual pruning includingroot pruningmay be required.
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Light
Little gem magnolia performs best with six or more hours of sunlight daily.
Morning light is ideal with partial shade, two to six hours, in the afternoon.
Organically rich, loamy soil is ideal so consider working in aged compost at planting time.
Water deeply once or twice weekly after transplanting.
Mulchinghelps preserve soil moisture and discourage weeds.
Pot-grown trees may need to be watered daily during the hottest days of summer.
Temperature and Humidity
This small tree is hardy down to about 5F and is fairly heat tolerant.
Some protection from hot afternoons prevents foliage from scorching and discoloration.
Fertilizer
Fertilize little gem magnolia in early spring with an organic slow-release fertilizer.
Plants grown in pots benefit from feeding monthly during the growing season.
Here are several other small types that fit well in any home landscape.
Pruning
Prune Little Gem after flowers fade focusing on dead and damaged branches.
If temperatures drop lower, cover your tree with a frost cover.
Mulch also protects roots from frost damage although the tree may lose some leaves.
Move potted plants to a protected indoor location such as an unheated porch or garage when possible.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Magnolia trees are vulnerable to several diseases and common insects.
Unfortunately, there is no remedy for verticillium wilt which can be diagnosed with a soil test.
The tree should be removed and disposed of.
Pruning out diseases and damaged branches is the best course for leaf spot and blight.
Aphids, thrips, and scale feed on the sap of little lem causing leaves to curl inward.
Applications of neem oil or insecticidal soap usually remedy this problem.
Caterpillars leave behind ragged and chewed foliage.
Look for and remove egg masses on the undersides of leaves and the tree’s trunk.
Prevention is the best approach.
Give your little gem magnolia the best growing conditions including plenty of sunlight and fertilizer in the spring.
A healthy tree is better able to survive these adverse conditions.
They are large, fragrant, and bright white saucer-shaped blooms up to 8 inches wide.
Flowers have a refreshing lemony scent.
How to Encourage More Blooms
ensure your tree gets at least six hours of bright sunlight daily.
Check soil pH for acidity level of 5.5 to 6.5 and good drainage.
It is not necessary to deadhead flowers.
The tree is putting energy into flowering rather than producing new foliageso this is not a big concern.
Once flowers appear, new leaves will begin to emerge.
Leaf Branch and Dieback
Dieback is usually because of extreme cold weather or temperature fluctuations in spring.
Frost damage can result in some loss of branches and leaves.
Little gem blooms for a long period so some blooms will naturally fade over time.
If flowers emerge discolored this could be triggered by too much heat or cold.
Choose a planting location with some afternoon shade and give your tree the correct amount of water and fertilizer.
Little gem magnolia reaches maturity at 15 to 20 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide.
Selective pruning can keep the tree smaller and formed into a columnar or pyramidal shape.
This variety can also be grown as a multi-stemmed shrub.
Plant little gem magnolia in a location that receives at least six hours of bright direct sunlight daily.
The tree benefits from several hours of afternoon shade.
Organically rich loamy soil that drains well is ideal.
Little gem magnolia needs sun to get to produce its large white blooms.
Give them a minimum of six hours of bright sunlight daily.
Afternoon shade is tolerated and can benefit the tree, especially in hot, dry climates.
