Re:Magnolia "Little Gem" by Kurt Mize

Hi Kurt,

Thanks for your comments about this. Sunset Western Garden Book
had it at 15 to 20 ft. in the 5th edition but at 20 to 25 ft in
the 7th edition...I appreciate the reality check. I did an online search and
found a comment that the mother plant from which this selection comes is now
40
ft tall. That is still alot less than 
the straight species but too big for my use.

Deborah Lindsay
Oakland, Ca.

____________________Reply Separator____________________
Subject:    Magnolia "Little Gem" by Kurt Mize
Author: "Diane Whitehead" <SMTP:voltaire@islandnet.com>
Date:       1/13/03 5:05 PM

All:

My sister, also a list member, asked me to respond to Deborah Lindsay's
request for info on Magnolia "Little Gem."  I planted one in my front garden
16 years ago based upon the nurseryman's assurances that it would "top out
at around 15 feet."  It is currently about 25 feet tall and still growing.
In my experience, the "little" in "Little Gem" refers more to the size of
the foliage and the flowers (which are disappointingly small) than to
anything else.  I love Magnolia grandiflora in the proper situation (a park
or woodland garden), but they shed leaves and litter continuously, hourly,
year-round.  The leaves are stiff and leathery, and don't decompose quickly,
so maintaining a tidy garden or patio beneath the shade of one is basically
impossible.  I'd keep looking, if I were Deborah.

Kurt Mize
Stockton, California
USDA Zone 9
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