Magnolia × grandiflora ‘Litttle Gem’

‘Little Gem’ is the compact form of the great American evergreen magnolia. Upright and narrowly columnar, reaching around 6 to 8m eventually, which makes it manageable for smaller gardens or training against a warm wall.

The glossy oblong leaves are a rich dark green above with a beautiful coppery-brown felted underside. Large creamy-white cup-shaped flowers, softer in size than the species but still around 10cm across, open from summer into autumn with a rich sweet scent.

Plant in moist, well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soil in full sun or partial shade. Water well through establishment. Feed with ericaceous fertiliser in spring. Minimal pruning, only to remove damaged wood in midsummer.

A proper specimen for a sheltered front garden, a sunny wall, or a large terrace pot with ericaceous compost.