All about the Little Gem Magnolia
Little gem magnolia is a cultivar of the magnolia tree that grows to about 20 feet in height and is able to weather fairly harsh weather conditions. This variety of the magnolia produces the distinctive flowers that the family of plants is renowned for.
Characteristics of little gem magnolia
Little gem magnolias are more shrubs than trees as they don’t grow very tall. They produce cream colored flowers which are very fragrant and the foliage is green. The underside of the leaves is brown or rust colored with some fuzziness to them. This evergreen plant has a fairly narrow trunk. The size and hardiness of the plant make it a good fit for many different kinds of landscapes. This cultivar of magnolia is deer and rabbit tolerant and tends to do well in windy locations also. This flexibility makes it a fairly easy plant to grow.
Care tips for the little gem magnolia
This plant does well in a location where it gets sun and partial shade. So find a spot in your garden where the plant is likely get both and make sure it is at least 8 feet away from neighboring plants and trees. Dig a hole three to four times the size of the root ball and transfer your tree to the hole. Make sure that the soil is loose and add amendments if necessary. Creating a water ring after filling the hole with soil is a good way of ensuring that the roots get adequate water. It is also high recommended that newly planted trees be well mulched. Mulch helps keep the soil moist and helps in early strengthening of the roots.
If you already have a little gem magnolia in the ground, you can follow the directions below for improving your plants health and for it to produce more blooms.
Little gem magnolia does well in acidic and mildly acidic soil. Careful use of fertilizers can help bring the best out of your plant. Nitrogen rich soil is good for stimulating foliage but sometimes this comes at the expense of flowers – so it is important to balance out the different needs of your trees in different seasons. Similarly it is best to fertilize early in the growth season rather than later. By moving the fertilization to later, it is possible that the tree will sprout new growth which will not be able to handle dramatic drops in temperature.
This plant needs an average amount of water. It is best to water thoroughly once a week rather than do a little bit of watering on a daily basis. It is particularly important to water regularly in the first year the plant is in the ground as it needs all the help it can get to ensure its health.
The little gem magnolia is known to get fungal and bacterial leaf spots. The best way to deal with this is to remove all infected leaves. Make sure to rake often to prevent accumulation of infected leaves at the base of the tree. A good fungicide may be needed to get rid of the fungal infection. Some times over much watering or excessive moisture exposure can cause yellowing of the leaves and the best way to deal with this is to focus on soil-level watering. Excessive moisture can also lead to anthracnose, another disease that afflicts this plant. Make sure there is adequate drainage and ventilation in the area as it is important for the plant to have a chance to dry out thoroughly.
The little gem magnolia is a low-maintenance flowering tree that can be a gorgeous addition to any garden. It is relatively compact in appearance and so the home gardener can introduce this plant without any concern about it crowding out other elements of the landscape.