This is a wonderful time of year. The Wilson Display Garden, located at the Agricultural Center, 1806 South Goldsboro Street, is blooming and budding for summer.

The plant of the month is Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'. The tree is located in the tree planting area adjacent to the display garden. Some of you might have wanted to stop reading when you saw the word Magnolia. You hate the when the leaves fall or this you can not have a Magnolia due to it's extreme size. Well 'Little Gem' might be the tree for you. The leaves of 'Little Gem' are 4 inches, quite smaller than the species, But the flowers are also smaller at 6 inches across. This tree still will get tall, but is typically thinner, 10 feet wide, compared to the species.

'Little Gem' is a pyramidal tree and can be pruned into a hedge or maintained to keep a small size. To see an example of a 'Little Gem' hedge visit the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, near the Fairgrounds.

Most Magnolias are extremely hardy in Wilson. There growth rate is slow to medium but can be increased with watering and fertilizing. Southern Magnolias are relatively insect and disease free. We get many calls at the Ag. Center in late spring on yellowing/falling leaves of the Southern Magnolia. This is just normal leaf drop on established plants.

The flowers of Magnolias are always a show stopper. They are creamy white, fragrant, and 'Little Gem' will bloom until fall after the big flower show in June. Some Magnolias will not bloom until a certain age. Fear no more, buy 'Little Gem' which will start blooming in a one-gallon container.

Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. There are up to 125 different Southern Magnolia cultivars to choose from so make your selection wisely.

The Wilson Display Garden has another cultivar of Southern Magnolia, 'Edith Bogue'. 'Edith Bogue' is one of the most cold tolerant species of Southern Magnolia. There is a huge specimen of this tree at the Morris Arboretum, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fifty-three gardeners joined my husband and myself on a garden trip to the Morris Arboretum and the trees there are remarkable for their size and beauty.

If you need a tree for the yard definitely consider a 'Little Gem' Magnolia. Do not take my word for it come and visit the Wilson Display Garden and see for yourself that 'Little Gem' is definitely a gem to include in the garden.

Home gardening questions can be answered on Mondays and Fridays from 1-3 PM at 237-0113.

Date Created: 12/11/00.

Updated: 8/25/03