Little Gem Magnolia

Little Gem Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem') is the evergreen screen for gardens with height to spare but no width. It reaches about 5m tall and only 2.5m across, so it fits a narrow side boundary or a large courtyard pot. White flowers open through the warmer months with a lemon and vanilla scent, and the roots are well behaved enough to plant near paving.

Why you'll love it

• Tall and narrow by nature. At roughly 5m by 2.5m it screens an upstairs window without swallowing the garden bed.
• Evergreen cover all year. Unlike the deciduous magnolias it holds its leaves, so the screen works in July as well as January.
• Fragrant flowers. Creamy white blooms 10 to 15cm across, from late spring into autumn, scented strongly enough to carry across a courtyard.
• Roots that stay out of trouble. Fibrous and non-invasive, so it can sit near paths, driveways and pipes.

Where it works best

Screening and privacy. Plant 1.5m apart for a dense screen. At that spacing the canopies knit into a continuous wall while each tree fills out from the base. For a driveway avenue, stretch it to 2.5m.

Pots and courtyards. A pot 500mm or wider suits it, and container growing holds it to around 2.5 to 3m. Be honest about the watering, because potted magnolias dry out fast in summer.

Growing Little Gem Magnolia in Australia

Position and soil. Full sun gives the heaviest flowering and the densest growth, though it copes with part shade. Give it well drained, slightly acidic soil with compost through the backfill. It will not tolerate waterlogging, so raise the bed on heavy clay.

Water and feeding. Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then taper off as the roots go down. It is genuinely drought tolerant after two seasons. Feed a complete slow release fertiliser in early spring and mid summer, and keep 75mm of mulch clear of the trunk.

Climate. At home in subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and salt tolerant enough for coastal blocks. In cooler southern areas it handles frost once established, though protect young plants through their first two winters. It is not the pick for the wet tropics, where constant humidity encourages leaf spotting.

Pruning. Very little is needed. Tip prune after flowering to thicken the screen, and remove the lowest branches only for a clear trunk.

What to expect when it arrives

We grow this magnolia from tubestock through to advanced 400L specimens. Tubes and 200mm pots arrive as single stemmed young plants, often under knee height, and take three to four years to screen. From 45L upwards you are buying a tree with real presence.

Some leaf bronzing or a few dropped leaves after transit is normal, not a fault. Expect roughly 30 to 50cm of growth a year once established. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read the complete guide to magnolia tree care in Australia.
• Compare varieties in our magnolia collection.
• Consider Teddy Bear Magnolia for a similar look at about 4m.
• Browse the alternatives in hedging and screening plants.

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a screen?

Space plants 1.5m apart. Any closer and the lower branches shade each other out, leaving gaps near the ground. For a row of individual trees, 2.5 to 3m gives each one room to show its shape.

Can I grow Little Gem Magnolia in a pot long term?

Yes, it is one of the better magnolias for containers. Use a pot at least 500mm wide with good drainage, root prune every three to four years, and expect it to settle at 2.5 to 3m rather than 5m.

Will the roots damage paving or pipes?

The root system is fibrous and non-invasive, unusual for a tree of this height, so it is one of the safer choices near paths and services. Leave about 1.5m of clearance from hard surfaces as good practice.