The Queensland Gardening Pages

Information & resources about plants & gardens for Brisbane & Qld

Magnolia grandiflora

including 'Little Gem' and other cultivars

Unlike the majority of cultivated magnolias, Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia or Bull Bay) is evergreen. Importantly for Queenslanders, it can be grown in the subtropical climate zones. While the species normally grows far too large for suburban gardens, selected cultivars such as 'Little Gem' are alternatives for restricted spaces. More...

On other pages:

Magnolias & Michelias

Where to buy

You're likely to find 'Little Gem' or some of the more recent cultivar releases in most garden centres in regions where the plants grow. If you're looking for the original species or other cultivars, you may need to find a Magnolia specialist. Check the main magnolias page to look for a for a nursery specialising in this group.

If you specifically want to buy plants in large sizes for instant landscapes, try the nurseries listed on the Advanced Plants page.

More Information

Magnolia grandiflora (general)

The following links are for general information - some cultivars mentioned in linked document may be unavailable in Australia. Note that seed propagation is not appropriate for cultivars if you want to be sure of preserving their characteristics.

Magnolia Society International

Magnolia grandiflora cultivar list North Carolina State University

Southern Magnolia Texas A&M University

Southern Magnolia Magnolia grandiflora. Online Manual of Subtropical Landscaping Plants, Palm Beach Community College, Florida

Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) Texas A&M University

Growing Southern Magnolia University of Georgia, USA

Southern Magnolias to Fit Your Landscape Needs Alabama Cooperative Extension System, USA.

Southern magnolia College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources free publication, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA (PDF)

Southern magnolia Dendrology at Virginia Tech

Magnolia grandiflora L. Silvics of North America, United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service

Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) Horticulture Update, Texas A&M University

Magnolia grandiflora Trees of Miami, Florida, USA

Southern magnolia Magnolia grandiflora L. University of Hawai`i at Manoa (PDF)

Magnolia grandiflora Landscape Plant Propagation Information, University of Florida

Magnolia grandiflora Missouri Botanical Garden

Magnolia Magnolia grandiflora. Flowers of India

Response of Magnolia grandiflora to seventeen fertilizer regimes Reproduction of a 1984 article, Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society (PDF)

Overcoming Seed Dormancy: Trees and Shrubs (includes notes on Southern magnolia) N.C. State University, North Carolina

'Little Gem'

'Little Gem' is a dwarf form of Magnolia grandiflora. This plant has hit the Australian gardening scene in a big way , but we have yet to see how it performs in the long term.

Americans have somewhat longer experience. It would seem that given enough time and/or optimal conditions, this cultivar can grow taller than generally suggested, but is still very much worth considering for small gardens.

Magnolia Society International Checklist of Magnolia Cultivars containing information on origin of 'Little Gem'

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem', Little Gem Magnolia Planting trees in landscapes by Dr. Ed Gilman, University of Florida (note comments on parent tree of this cultivar)

Little Gem Magnolia Tree at "Vicki's Home" website. Read about Vicki's experience with this tree.

Little Gem Magnolia Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas USA

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' NC State University, USA

Little Gem Magnolia perfect for new neighbourhoods College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia USA

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem': 'Little Gem' Southern Magnolia University of Florida, USA

Little Gem Magnolia Wins Medallion Award Mississippi State University Office of Agricultural Communications

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem', Little Gem Magnolia University of Florida

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' Missouri Botanical Garden

Magnolia grandiflora 'Exmouth'

May also be listed as 'Lanceolata'. Has a more narrow upright habit than the species.

Magnolia grandiflora cultivar list North Carolina State University

Magnolia grandiflora 'St Mary'

Magnolia grandiflora 'Glen St. Mary' (presumably this is the same or closely related to the cultivar known as 'St Mary') University of Florida (PDF)

Magnolia grandiflora Some information on several cultivars. Oregon State University

Magnolia grandiflora cultivar list North Carolina State University

Other cultivars

Note that some of the cultivars referred to in these links might not be available in Australia. The links have been included for information purposes

Southern Magnolia in: NFREC News, Nov 17, 2008. Refers to some of the cultivars on the U.S. market. University of Florida (PDF).

Checklist of New, Improved and Underutilized Trees for North and Central Florida Includes some notes on various M. grandiflora cultivars. University of Florida (PDF)

Magnolia grandiflora 'Brackens Brown Beauty' University of Florida

Magnolia grandiflora 'Bracken's Brown Beauty' Missouri Botanical Garden

Magnolia grandiflora 'Edith Bogue' Missouri Botanical Garden

Hardy Tropicals for Zone 5 including notes on Magnolia grandiflora 'Edith Bogue'

Magnolia grandiflora 'Hasse' University of Florida

North Carolina's 2009 Showstopper Plants Includes some information on Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris'. N.C. State University, North Carolina

Magnolia grandiflora 'Plantation' University of Florida

Magnolia grandiflora 'Mgtig' (Sold as Greenback^TM in USA.) University of Florida

Magnolia grandiflora 'Southern Charm' PP 13,049 Teddy Bear® Magnolia Head Ornamentals, Inc., USA

Magnolia grandiflora Some information on several cultivars. Oregon State University

Magnolia Grandiflora leaves at Hindleap June and October 2004 Notes on the difference in leaf morphology betwen several cultivars in UK. The Rhododendron, Camellia & Magnolia Group of the Royal Horticultural Society

On other pages:

Magnolias & Michelias (other magnolia species besides M. grandiflora)