Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' - Evergreen Trees Direct

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'

Name: Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
SKU: MAGNOLITTLGEM280L
Price: 2000.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$2,000.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 300L

300L 200L 100L 70L 40cm/45L 30cm/33cm

Current Stock Height Guides

30cm/33cm: 0.7m – 1m Approx.
40cm/45L: 1.0m – 1.6m Approx.
70L: Enquire within for height guide information.
100L: 1.5m – 2.2m Approx.
200L: 1.7m – 2.8m Approx.
300L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'

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 meters tall and 2–3 meters 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.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 4m - 6m Approximately

Mature Width: 2 – 3 meters

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' is expected to grow Approx 20 – 40 cm per year (moderate).

Frost Tolerance

Is Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' frost tolerant?

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Flowering Information

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.

Native Information

Is Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' an Australian Native? 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.

Wildlife Value

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.

Sunlight Information

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preffered Soil

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.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Little Gem Magnolia

Genus: Magnolia

Botanical Species: grandiflora

Family: Magnoliaceae

Botanical Name: Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'

Landscape Uses

Feature Tree
Screening or Privacy
Shade Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' works in an:

Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Planting, Spacing & Care

Planting & Care Guide

How to plant Magnolia Little Gem:

Select a site with well-draining soil and access to full sun or partial shade.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but just as deep.
Remove the tree from its container and gently loosen the root ball.
Position the tree in the hole, ensuring it's at the same depth as it was in the container.
Backfill the hole with soil and water generously.
Mulch around the base to retain moisture and prevent weeds.

Feature Planting: Space 2 – 3 m apart for balanced, compact form

Hedging & Screening: Space 1.5 – 2.5 m apart for dense privacy screen

Avenue Planting: Space 3 – 4 m apart for symmetrical, upright alignment

Caring for Magnolia Little Gem:

Water regularly, ensuring the soil remains moist, especially during dry periods.
Apply a slow-release fertiliser in spring to boost growth and flower production.
Prune minimally to maintain shape, removing dead or diseased branches.

How to Grow in Different Soil Types

Magnolia 'Little Gem' prefers moist, well-drained soil, but adapts to a variety of conditions:

Sandy Soil: Retains moisture poorly, so add organic matter to improve water retention.

Clay Soil: Prone to compaction—amend with compost and gypsum for better drainage.

Loamy Soil: Ideal for optimal root development and steady growth.

Acidic or Alkaline Soil: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil, but tolerates mild alkalin

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' is expected to grow Approx 20 – 40 cm per year (moderate).

Medium Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Ideal Conditions

Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal
Adelaide Hills & Barossa
Riverland & Murraylands
Limestone Coast & South East

Thrives in

Full Sun
Part Shade

Frost Tolerance

Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Drought Tolerance

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.

Flowering Information

Does Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer

Flower Type:

Fragrant

Flower Colour:

White

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often to water during hot summers?
A: Keep soil moist; might require daily watering in extreme heat.
Q: Ideal pruning time?
A: Late winter or early spring.
Q: Can Magnolia Little Gem be planted in containers?
A: Yes they can be, ensure adequate container size and good drainage. We do however recommend planting them in the ground.