- **Type**: Evergreen tree (dwarf cultivar of Southern Magnolia)

- **Height**: 15 to 25 feet (4.5 to 7.6 meters)

- **Width**: 8 to 15 feet (2.4 to 4.5 meters)

- **Growth Habit**: Upright, compact, columnar to pyramidal; dense foliage

- **Foliage**:

- Elliptical, leathery leaves, 4 to 6 inches long (10 to 15 cm), 2 to 3 inches wide (5 to 7.5 cm)

- Glossy dark green above, velvety bronze-brown underside

- Evergreen, providing year-round color

- **Flowers**:

- Large, creamy white, cup-shaped blooms, 4 to 6 inches across (10 to 15 cm)

- Bloom season: Late spring to late summer (May to August), sporadic into fall

- Strongly fragrant (lemony-sweet), attracts bees and beetles

- **Fruit**:

- Cone-like, reddish-brown aggregates, 2 to 4 inches long (5 to 10 cm), with bright red seeds

- Appears in fall (September to October), attracts birds

- **Light**: Full sun (6+ hours daily) to partial shade (4-6 hours); best flowering in sun

- **Soil**:

- Well-drained, rich, slightly acidic (pH 5.5 to 6.5); tolerates clay but prefers loamy

- **Watering**: Moderate; keep soil moist until established (first 1-2 years), then drought-tolerant

- **Hardiness**: USDA Zones 7 to 9 (0°F or -18°C to 20°F or -6°C)

- **Wildlife**: Attracts pollinators (bees, beetles) and birds (seeds); not reliably deer-resistant

- **Care**:

- Prune after flowering (late summer) to shape or remove lower branches for tree form

- Fertilize with an acid-loving plant mix (e.g., 10-10-10) in spring

- Mulch 2-3 inches deep to retain moisture and protect roots

- **Pests/Diseases**:

- May attract scale, aphids, or magnolia leafminers

- Susceptible to fungal leaf spot or verticillium wilt in poor drainage

- **Uses**: Specimen tree, hedge, screen, large container, or small-space accent

- **Growth Rate**: Moderate; 12 to 24 inches per year once established

- **Special Features**:

- Dwarf cultivar of the Southern Magnolia, bred for smaller size and prolific blooming

- Native to the southeastern U.S.; tolerates heat and humidity

- Evergreen foliage and long bloom season make it a year-round standout

The Little Gem Magnolia’s glossy leaves, fragrant white flowers, and compact size make it a charming, low-maintenance choice for smaller gardens or patios, offering classic Southern elegance without the massive footprint of its parent species. Let me know if you’d like more care tips or design ideas!