Most loved for its compact size, glossy green foliage with bronze undersides, and its abundant creamy-white fragrant flowers through summer and autumn.
Approximate only. Minimum height important? Confirm with us.
Height guide & disclaimer
Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you must confirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.
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Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem', known as the Little Gem Magnolia, is a compact, evergreen Southern Magnolia cultivar prized for its upright, dense, conical form and glossy green leaves with bronze undersides. Growing 4-6 metres tall and 2-3 metres wide, it's perfect for smaller gardens, containers, or formal screens.
This tree produces large, fragrant creamy-white flowers up to 20 cm in diameter, blooming intermittently year-round with a peak in late spring to summer. It is pest-resistant, tolerates urban pollution, and is drought-tolerant once established.
Preferring full sun to partial shade and well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil, it requires low maintenance with pruning after flowering to maintain shape. The 'Little Gem' attracts pollinators and offers elegant year-round foliage and floral interest in compact spaces.
Little Gem or Teddy Bear? Little Gem grows taller (4-6m) with a more open conical form, ideal for tall narrow hedges and formal screens. Its sister cultivar Teddy Bear stays more compact (3-4m) with a denser, rounded habit better suited to small formal features and tight courtyard spaces. Both share the same glossy foliage with bronze undersides and large fragrant white blooms.
About Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
Little Gem grows to 4-6 metres tall and 2-3 metres wide, with an upright pyramidal form.
Little Gem is a slow to moderate grower, adding 20-40cm per year. Patience is rewarded with a dense, formal habit.
Yes. Little Gem makes an excellent formal hedge or screen, particularly in narrow spaces. Plant 1-1.5 metres apart for a continuous screen.
Large fragrant creamy-white flowers appear intermittently year-round, with peak flush from late spring to summer (November to February in Australia).
Both are compact grandiflora magnolias. Little Gem is taller (4-6m) with a more open conical form, while Teddy Bear (3-4m) is bushier with a denser, rounded habit. Choose Little Gem for tall narrow hedges and Teddy Bear for compact formal features in smaller spaces.
Yes. Little Gem is well suited to large pots (60L+) and is widely used as a formal feature in courtyards, narrow garden beds, and balconies.
Little Gem is one of the more adaptable magnolias and grows well across most of Australia, from Queensland through NSW, VIC, SA, WA, and Tasmania. It prefers full sun to part shade and well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. Once established it handles frost, heat, and dry spells, though it appreciates a deep watering through long hot summers.
| Pot / bag size | Width | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| 30cm Pot | 33cm | 30cm |
| 40cm/45L Pot | 44cm | 41.5cm |
| 50cm Pot / 70L Pot | 55cm | 41.8cm |
| 100L Bag | 50.6cm | 52.8cm |
| 150L Bag | 66cm | 55cm |
| 200L Bag | 71.5cm | 60.5cm |
| 300L Bag | 88cm | 63.8cm |
| 400L Bag | 99cm | 66cm |
| 500L Bag | 122cm | 66cm |
| 750L Bag | 134cm | 69cm |
| 1000L Bag | 146.3cm | 71.5cm |
| 2000L Bag | 176cm | 82.5cm |
General planting reference from our existing size guide. Actual containers can vary by supplier and batch; confirm exact dimensions if required.
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Enter the length of your boundary, then choose how closely you want to plant.
Enter your boundary length to see how many trees you need.
Measure only the boundary you intend to plant—exclude gates and gaps. Spacing is centre to centre. Quantities are rounded up for one row, allowing roughly half the spacing at each end. Site conditions and pruning affect the final hedge.
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem', known as the Little Gem Magnolia, is a compact, evergreen Southern Magnolia cultivar prized for its upright, dense, conical form and glossy green leaves with bronze undersides. Growing 4-6 metres tall and 2-3 metres wide, it's perfect for smaller gardens, containers, or formal screens.
This tree produces large, fragrant creamy-white flowers up to 20 cm in diameter, blooming intermittently year-round with a peak in late spring to summer. It is pest-resistant, tolerates urban pollution, and is drought-tolerant once established.
Preferring full sun to partial shade and well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil, it requires low maintenance with pruning after flowering to maintain shape. The 'Little Gem' attracts pollinators and offers elegant year-round foliage and floral interest in compact spaces.
Little Gem or Teddy Bear? Little Gem grows taller (4-6m) with a more open conical form, ideal for tall narrow hedges and formal screens. Its sister cultivar Teddy Bear stays more compact (3-4m) with a denser, rounded habit better suited to small formal features and tight courtyard spaces. Both share the same glossy foliage with bronze undersides and large fragrant white blooms.
About Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
Little Gem grows to 4-6 metres tall and 2-3 metres wide, with an upright pyramidal form.
Little Gem is a slow to moderate grower, adding 20-40cm per year. Patience is rewarded with a dense, formal habit.
Yes. Little Gem makes an excellent formal hedge or screen, particularly in narrow spaces. Plant 1-1.5 metres apart for a continuous screen.
Large fragrant creamy-white flowers appear intermittently year-round, with peak flush from late spring to summer (November to February in Australia).
Both are compact grandiflora magnolias. Little Gem is taller (4-6m) with a more open conical form, while Teddy Bear (3-4m) is bushier with a denser, rounded habit. Choose Little Gem for tall narrow hedges and Teddy Bear for compact formal features in smaller spaces.
Yes. Little Gem is well suited to large pots (60L+) and is widely used as a formal feature in courtyards, narrow garden beds, and balconies.
Little Gem is one of the more adaptable magnolias and grows well across most of Australia, from Queensland through NSW, VIC, SA, WA, and Tasmania. It prefers full sun to part shade and well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. Once established it handles frost, heat, and dry spells, though it appreciates a deep watering through long hot summers.
Evergreen (foliage year round)
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (moderate) (approx.).
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' works in an:
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree
Mature Height: 4m to 6m (approx.)
Mature Width: 2m to 3m
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (moderate) (approx.).
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (moderate) (approx.).
They are considered to have a:
Is Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' frost tolerant?
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ produces abundant creamy-white, lemon-scented flowers from late spring through summer, with sporadic blooms into early autumn. These classic magnolia flowers sit proudly above the compact, glossy foliage and rich bronze leaf undersides, creating a long-lasting and elegant seasonal display.
Does Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' flower?
Flowering Period:
Flower Type:
Flower Colour:
White
No
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' is Native to A cultivated form of Magnolia grandiflora, native to the southeastern United States, bred for compact growth and extended flowering.
Its nectar-rich flowers attract bees, beetles and other pollinating insects, while the dense evergreen canopy provides shelter and nesting habitat for small birds. The seed-bearing cones that follow flowering offer additional food sources for wildlife, supporting biodiversity in ornamental gardens.
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' will thrive best in:
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ performs best in well-drained, slightly acidic loam or sandy loam soils. It may struggle in heavy clay, alkaline or poorly drained conditions unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance soil structure and drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support its strong evergreen growth, compact shape and reliable flowering.
Is Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' Drought tolerant?
As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established ‘Little Gem’ develops good drought tolerance. It performs well in warm, dry and coastal conditions and maintains its tight, upright habit with deep, occasional watering during extended dry spells.
Little Gem grows to 4-6 metres tall and 2-3 metres wide, with an upright pyramidal form.
Little Gem is a slow to moderate grower, adding 20-40cm per year. Patience is rewarded with a dense, formal habit.
Yes. Little Gem makes an excellent formal hedge or screen, particularly in narrow spaces. Plant 1-1.5 metres apart for a continuous screen.
Large fragrant creamy-white flowers appear intermittently year-round, with peak flush from late spring to summer (November to February in Australia).
Both are compact grandiflora magnolias. Little Gem is taller (4-6m) with a more open conical form, while Teddy Bear (3-4m) is bushier with a denser, rounded habit. Choose Little Gem for tall narrow hedges and Teddy Bear for compact formal features in smaller spaces.
Yes. Little Gem is well suited to large pots (60L+) and is widely used as a formal feature in courtyards, narrow garden beds, and balconies.
Approx. 0.8m – 1.8m
Approx. 0.9m – 1.5m
Approx. 1.3m – 2.1m
Approx. 1.5m – 2.2m
Approx. 2.0m – 2.9m
Approx. 2.8m – 3.5m
Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.
We take pride in supplying A+ grade advanced trees. When stock at our farm is not yet ready, we work with our trusted trade suppliers to source the best available trees for your garden.
Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.
Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.
Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.
About Enriched Planting Mix
It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.
It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.
No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.
Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.
Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.
It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.
Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.
Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.
Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.
Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.
About Enriched Planting Mix
It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.
It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.
No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.
Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.
Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.
It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.
Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.
Rhaphiolepis indica 'Snow Maiden' is a compact evergreen shrub that delivers a fresh burst of fragrant pure white flowers from late winter into spring. The dense mounding habit and glossy dark green foliage give it a lush, polished year-round appearance.
Snow Maiden grows to just 1-1.5 metres tall and wide, holding a naturally tidy rounded form with minimal pruning. The compact size makes it an excellent choice for low clipped hedges, borders, mass plantings, and containers, and it works well as a standout specimen in mixed plantings. Small dark berries follow the flowers.
Snow Maiden performs well in full sun to part shade and is drought hardy once established, thriving in coastal gardens and a wide range of well-drained soils. It is salt tolerant, low maintenance, and needs only moderate water while establishing.
About Rhaphiolepis indica 'Snow Maiden'
Rhaphiolepis indica 'Snow Maiden' grows to 1-1.5 metres tall and wide, forming a naturally compact dense mound.
Snow Maiden has a moderate growth rate of 20-40cm per year once established.
Snow Maiden produces masses of pure white flowers from late winter into spring, followed by small dark berries.
Yes. Snow Maiden is one of the best compact evergreen shrubs for low hedges, borders, and mass plantings, holding a tidy rounded form with minimal pruning.
Yes. Snow Maiden is both drought tolerant and salt tolerant once established, making it well suited to coastal gardens and low-water landscapes.
Plant 50-70cm apart for a continuous low hedge, or 80cm-1 metre for a softer informal border.
Snow Maiden thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, coastal exposure, and a wide range of well-drained soils.
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Wonder Screen' is a dense evergreen shrub with a naturally upright habit and glossy dark green leaves held on fine, near black stems. The foliage is narrow and lightly waved, which gives the plant a soft texture, and small dark purple flowers open in spring with a faint honey scent.
It takes full sun to part shade and wants soil that drains, though it copes with most soil types once established. Growth is steady at roughly 30 to 60 centimetres a year. Light to moderate frost is no trouble for settled plants, and watering through the first two summers builds its drought tolerance.
Mature size is 2 to 3 metres tall and 1 to 2 metres wide, which suits boundary screening, courtyard privacy and clipped hedges along fences and driveways. It also holds a formal line in a row in front of a wall or under windows. On a suburban block it screens without taking over.
About Wonder Screen Pittosporum
Mature plants reach 2 to 3 metres tall and 1 to 2 metres wide in the ground. Regular clipping holds it lower and narrower if you need a tighter hedge, and it responds well to being kept at around 1.5 metres. Growing it in a large container will also keep the final size down.
Expect roughly 30 to 60 centimetres of growth a year once the plant has settled in, which is moderate for a screening shrub. Growth is quicker in the first few seasons with good soil preparation and consistent water, and slows as the plant nears full height. Feeding in early spring keeps the rate up.
For a dense informal screen, plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart. For a tighter formal hedge, bring the spacing in to 80 centimetres. If you are using it as a soft textured avenue along a driveway, 3 metres apart gives each plant room to develop its own shape and stay full to the ground.
Full sun gives the densest growth and the best leaf colour. It also grows well in part shade, though plants in deeper shade tend to open up and thin at the base, which matters if you are relying on it for privacy. Morning sun with afternoon shade works well in hot inland gardens.
Small dark purple flowers appear in spring, from about September to November. They sit close to the stems and are easy to miss, but they carry a light honey fragrance that is most noticeable in the evening. The plant is grown for its foliage and form, so treat the flowers as a bonus.
Yes. Established plants handle light to moderate frost without damage, which covers most temperate and cool temperate districts. Young plants in their first winter are more vulnerable, so mulch over the root zone and shelter from cold wind helps them through. Severe repeated frost can burn the newest growth at the tips.
Water deeply through the first two summers, then only in long dry spells. Mulch to about 75 millimetres, keeping it clear of the trunk. Trim once or twice a year, in late spring and again in late summer, cutting into soft growth rather than bare wood. A general fertiliser in early spring is enough.
Melaleuca nesophila, the Showy Honey Myrtle, is an evergreen Australian native shrub to small tree from the south coast of Western Australia. Fine grey green foliage sits on a dense rounded frame over papery bark, and mauve to pink pom pom flowers cover the outer growth through spring and summer.
Mature width is 2 to 4 metres, with height usually settling around 3 to 5 metres, and growth of 30 to 60 centimetres a year. It wants full sun and takes sand, limestone, gravel and moderately heavy soils. Salt wind, drought and light to moderate frost are all handled once the roots are down.
This is a screening and hedging plant first, used along boundaries, on coastal blocks and through council road reserves where conditions are hard and maintenance budgets are thin. Space it at 1 to 1.5 metres for an informal screen. It gives colour, density and habitat value from one low input plant.
About Showy Honey Myrtle
Melaleuca nesophila, or Showy Honey Myrtle, is an evergreen Australian native shrub to small tree from southern Western Australia. It has fine grey green foliage, a dense rounded habit and soft papery bark, and carries mauve to pink pom pom flowers through spring and summer that age to a soft grey.
It spreads 2 to 4 metres wide and generally reaches 3 to 5 metres tall in a garden, though regular trimming will hold it lower. Growth is moderate to fast at around 30 to 60 centimetres a year, so a screen planted from advanced stock closes over within three or four seasons.
For a dense informal screen, plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart. For a tighter formal hedge, bring that in to 80 centimetres. As a feature tree, allow 3 to 4 metres so the full canopy and form can develop, or 3 metres apart along an avenue for a uniform, soft textured line.
Yes, it is one of the better coastal Melaleucas. It tolerates salt laden wind, sandy and limestone soils, and exposed front line positions once established, which is why it is planted so widely along the southern coastline. In very exposed sites it will lean with the prevailing wind, and most people like the result.
The main flush runs through spring and into summer, roughly September to January. Flowers open mauve to purple pink in dense rounded heads across the outer foliage, then age to grey and stay on the plant. Bees and honeyeaters work it heavily while it is out, so expect plenty of activity.
It handles light to moderate frost once established, which covers most coastal and near coastal parts of southern Australia. Young plants are more vulnerable in their first winter, so plant in autumn or early spring and keep them out of low frost hollows. Hard, repeated inland frost will burn new growth.
Tip prune after flowering to keep it dense and stop the base going bare. It takes a hard cut back if it becomes leggy, though remove no more than about a third at a time. Water through the first summer, then it is largely self sufficient. Use a low phosphorus native fertiliser in spring on poor soils.
Buxus microphylla var. japonica, sold as Japanese Box, is a dense evergreen shrub clipped here into clean topiary balls. The small, rounded, mid green leaves sit tightly along short stems, so the surface holds a crisp edge after cutting. Growth is naturally compact, which is what allows the ball shape to hold between trims.
It grows in full sun to part shade and accepts most soils that drain, from sandy loam through to improved clay. Cool temperate, temperate and subtropical districts all suit it, and established plants handle light to moderate frost. Growth runs about 15 to 25 centimetres a year, slow enough that the shape stays where you put it.
Balls are used to edge beds and paths, mark an entry, sit either side of a doorway, or repeat down a courtyard to give a planting rhythm. They also underplant feature trees neatly. Because the form arrives already grown, a bed reads finished from the day it goes in rather than years later.
About Japanese Box Topiary Balls
It is Buxus microphylla var. japonica grown on and clipped into a sphere. The plant does the same job as any box shrub, evergreen, small leaved and tolerant of cutting, but it arrives already shaped. Ball diameters run from around 30 centimetres up to large advanced specimens, and the shape is then held with two trims a year.
The ball is held at whatever diameter it is clipped to, commonly 30 to 70 centimetres, with larger specimens available in bigger containers. In the ground, overall height sits close to the ball diameter. Left entirely unclipped the species would slowly reach roughly 1.5 to 2 metres tall and wide over many years.
About 15 to 25 centimetres a year, which is slow to moderate. That pace is an advantage in topiary because the outline drifts gradually rather than running away between cuts. Two trims a year, one in early spring and one in late summer, are usually enough to keep the surface tight and the profile even.
Full sun to part shade both work. Full sun gives the densest, tightest surface, which matters when the appeal of the plant is a clean clipped edge. In hot inland gardens some afternoon shade prevents leaf scorch and bronzing. Deep shade thins the growth out and the ball loses its crisp outline.
Yes. Established plants handle light to moderate frost without damage, which covers most temperate and cool temperate gardens including Canberra, Melbourne and the southern tablelands. Newly planted stock is more exposed, so water it well going into winter and mulch the root zone. Any frost burnt tips can simply be trimmed off in spring.
Yes, they are one of the better plants for a container. A pot 40 to 50 centimetres wide suits a single ball for a courtyard, entry or balcony. Use a quality potting mix, water once the top few centimetres dry out, and feed in spring and again in summer. Repot or refresh the mix every few years.
Trim twice a year with sharp shears, cutting lightly and often rather than hard. Feed in early spring with a slow release fertiliser and keep water up through summer. Mulch to about 50 millimetres, keeping it clear of the stem. Watch for box psyllid on soft new growth and treat early if the tips start to cup.
Ligularia reniformis carries enormous glossy kidney-shaped leaves that give a shaded garden the bold tropical texture usually only available in full sun. The Tractor Seat Plant is grown for foliage first, with tall stems of bright yellow daisy flowers through summer as a bonus.
Ligularia reniformis forms a clump 0.6 to 1 metre tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide, spreading slowly at 10 to 20 centimetres per year. That steady habit makes it reliable as a mass underplanting beneath established trees, an edging along a shaded path, or a single specimen in a large pot.
This is a full shade plant. It wants consistent moisture and protection from hot afternoon sun, which scorches the leaves, and it is frost sensitive, so in cold districts it needs a protected position. Given shade and water it is close to maintenance free.
About Ligularia reniformis
It forms a clump 0.6 to 1 metre tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide. The individual leaves can reach 40 centimetres across, which is where the bold texture comes from.
The common name comes from the large round kidney-shaped leaves, which resemble the seat of an old tractor. The botanical name reniformis means kidney-shaped.
Yes. It performs best in full shade and will scorch in hot afternoon sun. It is one of the most useful foliage plants available for genuinely dark positions.
Tall stems of bright yellow daisy-like flowers rise well above the foliage through summer. The foliage remains the main feature for the rest of the year.
No. It is frost sensitive and may be damaged by frost. In cold districts plant it in a protected position, or grow it in a pot that can be moved under cover.
It wants consistently moist soil and does not tolerate drying out. Mulch well and water regularly through summer, particularly in pots and under established trees where roots compete.
Plant 0.8 to 1 metre apart for a continuous shaded groundcover mass. Closer spacing fills in faster but the clumps will crowd within a few seasons.
Camellia sasanqua 'Setsugekka' is a tall evergreen shrub with large, single to semi double white flowers, the petals slightly ruffled around a centre of golden stamens. Bloom runs from late autumn into early winter. Foliage is small, glossy and dark green, carried densely on an upright, gently spreading frame.
It takes more sun than a japonica and will hold full sun in cooler districts, though part shade suits inland heat. Soil should be well drained and slightly acidic. Growth is 40 to 60 centimetres a year, to 2 to 4 metres tall and 1.5 to 2.5 metres wide. Light frost is tolerated.
This is the standard choice for a tall evergreen screen along a boundary or between neighbouring houses, and it clips readily into a formal hedge. It also stands alone as a feature, or fills a large pot at an entry. The height and density make it useful wherever fence line privacy is the brief.
About Camellia sasanqua 'Setsugekka'
'Setsugekka' is a tall evergreen sasanqua camellia with large single to semi double white flowers, the petals slightly ruffled around a boss of golden stamens. It flowers from late autumn into early winter. Small glossy dark leaves are held densely on an upright, gently spreading shrub used widely for screening.
It reaches 2 to 4 metres tall and 1.5 to 2.5 metres wide, at a rate of roughly 40 to 60 centimetres a year. That upper height is what makes it a genuine screening plant rather than a border shrub. Regular trimming will hold it at any height above about 1.5 metres.
Space plants 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge. Tighter spacing closes the gaps faster but increases competition for water and nutrients, so prepare a continuous trench rather than individual holes and keep irrigation even along the run.
Flowering starts in late autumn and carries into early winter, roughly April through to June across most of southern Australia. Sasanquas flower ahead of japonicas, so this one fills the gap before the japonica season begins. Individual flowers drop cleanly from the plant rather than browning on the bush.
It takes more sun than a japonica and will hold full sun in cooler and coastal districts. In hot inland gardens give it afternoon shade to protect the foliage. It also flowers acceptably in part shade, which makes it one of the more flexible screening plants for a boundary with mixed aspect.
Yes. A pot 40 to 50 centimetres wide suits a single specimen for a courtyard, entry or balcony. Use a free draining camellia and azalea mix, water regularly because containers dry out fast, and feed after flowering. Expect a smaller final size in a container than the same plant would reach in open ground.
Trim once flowering finishes in early winter, taking the new growth back to shape. For a formal hedge, a second light trim in late summer keeps the face tidy. Feed with a camellia fertiliser after pruning, keep mulch over the shallow roots, and water deeply through summer dry spells.
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Balls' is Star Jasmine grown and clipped into a dense evergreen sphere. The small glossy leaves sit tight on a woody framework, holding a clean rounded outline year round. White pinwheel flowers open in spring and carry a strong sweet scent right across a courtyard.
Ball specimens hold at about 1 to 1.5 metres tall and wide with light clipping. Full sun to part shade suits them, in any free draining soil. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year. They handle coastal exposure, light frost and dry spells once the roots are down.
Repeat them along a driveway, either side of an entry, or in pots on a terrace where a formal shape is wanted straight away. They read as structure in a planting scheme without the height of a hedge, and because the form is already trained, a new garden looks settled from the day it goes in.
About Star Jasmine Balls
They are Trachelospermum jasminoides, the common Star Jasmine, grown and clipped into a dense evergreen sphere on a woody framework. Instead of climbing, the plant is trained into a self supporting rounded shape. The foliage is small, glossy and dark green, and the plant carries scented white flowers through spring.
They hold at roughly 1 to 1.5 metres tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year, so a light clip once or twice a year keeps the ball tight at whatever size within that range suits the setting.
Full sun to part shade both work. Full sun gives the densest foliage and the heaviest flowering, while part shade produces slightly softer, more open growth and fewer flowers. Avoid deep shade, where the ball thins out and loses its outline. Morning sun with afternoon protection suits hot inland gardens.
Yes, and pots are one of the main uses. A container 50 to 60 centimetres wide with a quality free draining mix will hold a ball for years. Water more often than you would in the ground, especially in summer, and feed in spring and again in late summer. Refresh the mix every few years.
Yes, the foliage is held year round. The glossy dark green leaves take on a bronze tinge in cold weather and green up again in spring, but the plant never goes bare. That is what makes it useful as permanent structure in a scheme, particularly in winter once perennials have died back.
Flowering runs through spring, roughly September to November, and often carries into early summer in warmer districts. The white pinwheel flowers are small but produced in quantity, and the scent is strong on still evenings. Flowering is heaviest on plants in full sun that were not clipped hard just before bud set.
Clip lightly with hedging shears once after flowering and again in late summer if needed, taking only the new growth to keep the outline crisp. Water deeply in dry weather, mulch the base, and feed in early spring. The sap is milky and can irritate skin, so wear gloves when trimming.
Magnolia grandiflora 'Alta' is the narrowest of the evergreen magnolias, holding a tight columnar form that delivers the large fragrant creamy-white flowers and glossy bronze-backed foliage of the species in roughly half the width. It solves the problem of wanting a magnolia in a space that cannot take one.
'Alta' grows to 6 to 10 metres tall at 30 to 50 centimetres per year, with dense branching that holds low to the ground rather than lifting into a canopy. Flowers appear through summer and into autumn, and the deep green leaves with rich bronze undersides give strong contrast in any light.
'Alta' grows in full sun and tolerates light to moderate frost once established. Because it holds density from the base and stays narrow, it is one of the few evergreen feature trees that also works as a formal screen along a boundary or driveway without regular trimming.
About Magnolia grandiflora 'Alta'
'Alta' grows to 6 to 10 metres tall with a distinctly narrow columnar habit. It is the most upright and space-efficient of the commonly grown evergreen magnolias.
'Alta' is taller and considerably narrower. 'Little Gem' and 'Teddy Bear' are compact and rounded, while 'Alta' grows as a tall column, which makes it the right choice for screening and tight spaces.
Large fragrant creamy-white flowers appear through summer and into autumn. Flowering is sporadic rather than all at once, which extends the display over several months.
Yes. It holds dense foliage from ground level and stays narrow, so a row of 'Alta' forms an evergreen screen with far less width and trimming than most alternatives.
'Alta' grows at a moderate 30 to 50 centimetres per year. It is not a fast screen, but it is dense and requires little correction once established.
Plant 2 to 2.5 metres apart for a continuous evergreen screen, or 3 to 4 metres apart where each tree should read as an individual feature.
'Alta' handles light to moderate frost once established. Protect young plants through their first winter in colder inland districts.
Magnolia grandiflora 'Coolwyn Gloss' is a striking evergreen magnolia selected for its exceptionally glossy dark green foliage and large fragrant white flowers. The lacquer-like sheen of the leaves, set against bronze undersides, gives it a richness and presence that sets it apart from other evergreen magnolias.
Coolwyn Gloss grows to 9-12 metres tall and 6-9 metres wide, making it one of the larger evergreen magnolia cultivars. The substantial size and dense habit suit avenue planting, large feature positions, and tall privacy screens, where compact cultivars like Teddy Bear and Little Gem are better for smaller gardens.
Coolwyn Gloss is adaptable across most Australian climates, preferring well-drained, slightly acidic soils and full sun to part shade. It is low maintenance, drought tolerant once established, and pest resistant, producing large fragrant white flowers through late spring and summer.
About Magnolia grandiflora 'Coolwyn Gloss'
Magnolia grandiflora 'Coolwyn Gloss' grows to 9-12 metres tall and 6-9 metres wide, making it one of the larger evergreen magnolia cultivars.
Coolwyn Gloss has a moderate growth rate of 30-50cm per year once established.
Coolwyn Gloss produces large fragrant white flowers through late spring and summer, typically November to February across Australia.
Coolwyn Gloss is selected for its exceptionally glossy dark green foliage and larger size. It suits avenue planting and large feature positions, where compact cultivars like Teddy Bear and Little Gem suit smaller gardens.
Yes. Coolwyn Gloss is fully evergreen, holding glossy dark green foliage with bronze undersides year-round.
Coolwyn Gloss is adaptable across most Australian climates, preferring well-drained, slightly acidic soils and full sun to part shade.
Plant 4-6 metres apart for an avenue or screen, or as individual feature trees with room for the full canopy to develop.
Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' is an evergreen cultivar of the Southern Magnolia with thick, glossy leaves that stay green on the underside rather than the rusty brown of most cultivars, which is where the name comes from. Growth is dense and upright. Large, fragrant, creamy white flowers open through late spring and summer.
Grow it in full sun to partial shade in most reasonable soils, ideally slightly acidic and well drained. It suits temperate, warm temperate and subtropical gardens, tolerates urban conditions and is moderately drought hardy once established. Growth is moderate at 20 to 40 centimetres a year. Water regularly through the first two summers and in long dry spells.
The dense habit makes it a strong privacy screen or windbreak, planted 2.5 to 3 metres apart for an informal screen or 1.5 to 2 metres apart for a tighter clipped hedge. It also stands alone as a formal upright specimen. Evergreen cover at 10 to 15 metres is hard to beat on a boundary.
About Greenback Magnolia
It is an evergreen selection of the Southern Magnolia with thick, glossy leaves that stay green on the underside instead of the rusty brown found on most cultivars, which is where the name comes from. It has a dense, upright habit and produces large, fragrant, creamy white flowers through the warmer months.
It reaches 10 to 15 metres tall and 8 to 10 metres wide in most gardens, and can push to 18 or 20 metres in deep soil with good moisture. That is a broad crown at maturity, so give it clear room away from buildings and boundaries. Trimming will hold it at any height above about 2 metres.
Yes, it holds foliage all year and does not go bare in winter. Older leaves are shed gradually through the year rather than all at once, so there is a light ongoing leaf drop rather than a seasonal one. The leaves are thick and slow to break down, which is worth knowing near pools.
Space plants 2.5 to 3 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 1.5 to 2 metres apart for a tighter formal hedge that you keep clipped. For a row of individual trees rather than a solid screen, 6 metres apart lets each crown show its shape. Closer planting fills faster but the plants compete for water.
Full sun to partial shade both work. Full sun gives the densest growth and the heaviest flowering, which matters if you are relying on it as a screen. In partial shade it grows a little more openly. It will take half a day of shade from a building or neighbouring trees without thinning badly.
Once established it is moderately drought tolerant and copes with normal dry summers in temperate and subtropical gardens. The thick waxy leaves reduce water loss. It is not a plant for unirrigated arid sites, and a young plant needs regular water through its first two summers before you can leave it to fend for itself.
Trim in late summer or early autumn after flowering, taking the tips back to shape rather than cutting into bare wood. Feed in early spring with a fertiliser suited to acid loving plants, and mulch the root zone. Water regularly through the establishment period and during long dry spells. Little else is required.
Magnolia grandiflora 'Teddy Bear' is a compact, upright evergreen tree perfect for hedging, screening, or feature planting in small or formal spaces. Growing 3-4 metres tall and 2-3 metres wide, it showcases dense dark green foliage with rich bronze undersides, adding year-round structure and colour.
From late spring through summer, it produces large, fragrant white flowers that offer seasonal interest. Its naturally symmetrical form needs minimal pruning and thrives in full sun to part shade. Once established, 'Teddy Bear' Magnolia is drought-tolerant and low maintenance, making it an excellent choice for gardens, courtyards, narrow spaces, or container planting.
Ideal for formal gardens, hedges, and statement pots, it combines elegance with practicality in residential and commercial landscapes.
Teddy Bear or Little Gem? Teddy Bear is the more compact (3-4m) and bushier of the two, with a denser rounded habit ideal for small formal features and tight courtyard spaces. Its sister cultivar Little Gem grows taller (4-6m) with a more open conical form, better suited to tall narrow hedges and formal screens. Both share the same glossy foliage with bronze undersides and fragrant white blooms.
About Magnolia grandiflora 'Teddy Bear'
Teddy Bear is a compact magnolia reaching 3-4 metres tall and 2-3 metres wide, making it one of the smallest grandiflora cultivars.
Teddy Bear is a slow to moderate grower, adding 20-40cm per year. Patience is rewarded with a dense, naturally symmetrical form.
Yes. Teddy Bear is one of the best evergreen magnolias for small gardens, courtyards, and narrow garden beds thanks to its compact upright habit.
Yes. Teddy Bear is well suited to large pots (minimum 60L) and is widely used as a formal feature in courtyard and balcony planting.
Large fragrant white flowers appear from late spring through summer, typically November to February across Australia.
Plant 1-1.5 metres apart for a dense hedge, or 2 metres for a softer screen with more individual form.
Both are compact grandiflora magnolias. Teddy Bear (3-4m) is bushier with a denser rounded habit, ideal for compact formal features. Little Gem (4-6m) grows taller with a more open conical form, suited to tall narrow hedges and screens.
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Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem', known as the Little Gem Magnolia, is a compact, evergreen Southern Magnolia cultivar prized for its upright, dense, conical form and glossy green leaves with bronze undersides. Growing 4-6 metres tall and 2-3 metres wide, it's perfect for smaller gardens, containers, or formal screens.
This tree produces large, fragrant creamy-white flowers up to 20 cm in diameter, blooming intermittently year-round with a peak in late spring to summer. It is pest-resistant, tolerates urban pollution, and is drought-tolerant once established.
Preferring full sun to partial shade and well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil, it requires low maintenance with pruning after flowering to maintain shape. The 'Little Gem' attracts pollinators and offers elegant year-round foliage and floral interest in compact spaces.
Little Gem or Teddy Bear? Little Gem grows taller (4-6m) with a more open conical form, ideal for tall narrow hedges and formal screens. Its sister cultivar Teddy Bear stays more compact (3-4m) with a denser, rounded habit better suited to small formal features and tight courtyard spaces. Both share the same glossy foliage with bronze undersides and large fragrant white blooms.
About Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
Little Gem grows to 4-6 metres tall and 2-3 metres wide, with an upright pyramidal form.
Little Gem is a slow to moderate grower, adding 20-40cm per year. Patience is rewarded with a dense, formal habit.
Yes. Little Gem makes an excellent formal hedge or screen, particularly in narrow spaces. Plant 1-1.5 metres apart for a continuous screen.
Large fragrant creamy-white flowers appear intermittently year-round, with peak flush from late spring to summer (November to February in Australia).
Both are compact grandiflora magnolias. Little Gem is taller (4-6m) with a more open conical form, while Teddy Bear (3-4m) is bushier with a denser, rounded habit. Choose Little Gem for tall narrow hedges and Teddy Bear for compact formal features in smaller spaces.
Yes. Little Gem is well suited to large pots (60L+) and is widely used as a formal feature in courtyards, narrow garden beds, and balconies.
Little Gem is one of the more adaptable magnolias and grows well across most of Australia, from Queensland through NSW, VIC, SA, WA, and Tasmania. It prefers full sun to part shade and well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. Once established it handles frost, heat, and dry spells, though it appreciates a deep watering through long hot summers.
