Magnolia 'Little Gem'

How to identify a Magnolia 'Little Gem'

'Little Gem' is a dense small tree with glossy, dark green leaves whose undersides are a rich rusty brown, a colour that shows clearly when you look up into the tree. Its large flowers are creamy white and strongly perfumed, and appear through spring and summer. It is a scaled-down version of the evergreen magnolia, which can grow to about 20 metres in gardens, while 'Little Gem' stays around 4 metres tall and 2.5 metres wide. Deciduous magnolias are easy to tell apart: they lose their leaves and flower on bare branches in winter and early spring.

Growing a Magnolia 'Little Gem' in Brisbane

Burke's Backyard rates 'Little Gem' as suited to most of coastal Australia from Rockhampton south, and the full-sized evergreen magnolia grows well in Brisbane. Its compact size suits small gardens, garden beds, lawns and large patio pots, and it can be clipped as a hedge. Give it well-drained soil in full sun or part shade, and a deep watering in long dry spells. It is not on Brisbane City Council's street tree list, so treat it as a garden tree.

What to watch out for

Hunter Water lists magnolias among plants to avoid near sewer pipes, giving them a high damage rating, so keep it well clear of drains and sewer lines even though 'Little Gem' is compact. Otherwise it has few problems.

Pruning and care

Plant in well-drained soil in full sun or part shade, and mulch to keep the roots cool and moist. Give it an occasional deep soak during long dry periods, including plants in pots. Snip off the seed heads after flowering to encourage new growth and more flowers. Its dense habit means it can be trimmed to shape or kept as a hedge. Burke's Backyard notes it is relatively free of insect pests and diseases.

• Tree pruning
• Tree health assessment