How fast does a little gem magnolia tree grow?
Little gem magnolia tree growth rate it has a slow growth rate of fewer than 12 inches every year and it can take around 20 years for a dwarf little gem magnolia tree to reach full maturity, giving you more time to enjoy the scent of its summer flowers. Some varieties, especially large-flowered magnolias, need a little more wind protection than others. Give your magnolia enough space. Plants grow quite old and can only develop properly if they have enough space. You should plan at least five to eight square metres for each tree.The Magnolia Little Gem is a smaller tree, reaching a maximum height of around 6 meters at maturity. In contrast, the Teddy Bear Magnolia can grow up to 10 meters tall. Both trees are hardy and can withstand tough conditions, but the Teddy Bear Magnolia is generally considered to be more disease-resistant.If you need to limit the size of your magnolia, aim to maintain an open crown with a uniform shape. It’s better to cut back to a fork or the trunk, which gives a better appearance. Carrying out renovation work over several years will avoid putting undue stress on the tree.A magnolia bush or tree is a long-term investment – they are slow growing and can take 10-20 years to reach their ultimate size. It’s therefore worth taking the time to choose the right variety for your garden. The flowers, ultimate size and the conditions in your garden will determine which magnolia you grow.
What are the disadvantages of a magnolia tree?
Cons of Magnolias Shallow roots: Magnolias have shallow root systems, which can make them susceptible to damage from strong winds or nearby construction. Messy fallen leaves and flowers: Evergreen magnolias drop large glossy leaves year-round, while deciduous varieties shed both leaves and flowers in the fall. Magnolias need full sun to part shade position, sheltered from hot afternoon sun and strong winds. Magnolias prefer a moist, but free-draining soil that’s slightly acidic.Southern Magnolia prefers acid soil but will tolerate a slightly basic, even wet or clay soil. Select seedlings grown from trees in alkaline soil for planting in this high pH soils. The root system is wider spreading than most other trees, extending from the trunk a distance equal to about 4 times the canopy width.Magnolias need little attention once they’ve settled in, as long as they’re growing in suitable conditions. However, when grown in containers, they need regular watering and feeding during the growing season.Wildlife: Magnolia trees support wildlife, providing shelter and nesting sites for birds. Their fragrant flowers attract pollinators like bees, while the seeds are food for birds and small mammals.Moderate: Magnolia ‘Little Gem’ has a moderate growth rate compared to other magnolia species. It typically grows about 1 to 2 feet per year under favorable conditions.
What are the common problems with little gem magnolias?
Magnolia trees are vulnerable to several diseases and common insects. Leaf spot, blight, and verticillium wilt all can affect foliage causing dark spots, yellowing, and loss of leaves. Unfortunately, there is no remedy for verticillium wilt which can be diagnosed with a soil test. They also drop old petals when they are in bloom and seed cones in late summer and fall. Large standard magnolias can be messy as a result. The smaller size of the Little Gem, however, means less leaf litter to deal with.While magnolias are evergreen (never drop all of their leaves at once), individual leaves do not live forever. Eventually, a generation of leaves grows old and dies. Magnolias yellow and drop these old leaves in spring as they begin to bloom. As alarming as this looks, this leaf drop is normal and no cause for alarm.Wall-trained magnolias are pruned in summer – doing it after flowering means there’s less chance of removing flower buds by accident. Any stems that are heading towards the wall should be removed. Those that are growing away from the wall should be shortened to one or two leaves.
Do little gem magnolias need a lot of water?
This tree does prefer a moist soil especially when newly planted. When your tree is newly planted, water deeply 3 times per week. Water 1 to 2 times per week for the next couple months. After establishment your Magnolia will be drought tolerant and only need watering once weekly in summer. Southern Magnolia trees are evergreen so their leaves will stay on and leaf out with beautiful large deep green leaves during the winter.Magnolias naturally have very shallow root systems as they are an ancient rainforest species that has evolved for shallow soil.Preparation. Magnolias need full sun to part shade position, sheltered from hot afternoon sun and strong winds. Magnolias prefer a moist, but free-draining soil that’s slightly acidic.Feeding and mulching Evergreen magnolias are not heavy feeders. Feed throughout the seasons using a complete fertiliser for flowering plants such as Seasol plus Nutrients Roses & Flowers. Supplement feeding with a liquid fertiliser such as PowerFeed PRO SERIES for Roses & Flowers every 2 to 4 weeks.Whilst it may sound odd, you can also use coffee as a fertiliser for feeding magnolias. Strictly speaking, you use the coffee grounds for this, which should ideally have been dried beforehand. This prevents mould from growing during storage.
How tall is a 5 year old magnolia tree?
A five or six year old southern magnolia should be taller than four feet. If it was seed planted, it may have gotten a slow start. If it was planted as a container plant, I would guess that something is impeding its root growth. All the charm of a southern magnolia in a smaller size, the little gem magnolia is a popular ornamental choice for people living in hardiness zones 6 through 10. It is often used as a standout landscape specimen, to add evergreen beauty near decks and patios, as a floral screen or hedge, and in large containers.While a ‘Little Gem’ is smaller than the big momma of Magnolias in the same grandiflora variety, it’s still a hardwood tree with a root system that is always looking for moisture. Those planted right up next to the foundation could die because of a lack of water.The Super Gem Magnolia is a brilliant alternative to the Little Gem magnolia. With its wider canopy and fuller form, make it perfect for screening or as a standalone feature tree, adding both beauty and privacy to any landscape.But what about the common concern: Are Little Gem Magnolia roots invasive? Fortunately, their root system is generally non-invasive, making them a safe choice for planting near structures.