Quick Reference
- Little Gem = tallest of the compact cultivars (6–10m), upright/columnar, moderate-to-fast grower → best for hedges & screens
- Teddy Bear = shortest & densest compact cultivar (3–6m), rounded, slow grower → best for pots, small gardens, focal points
- Both are Magnolia grandiflora cultivars: evergreen, fragrant white blooms, similar care needs
- Rule of thumb: taller/faster = screening; shorter/denser = containers & feature planting
- Data compiled from/expanded on this guide: magnolia little gem vs teddy bear.
| Variety | Species/Type | Mature Height | Mature Width | Growth Rate | Growth Habit | Foliage | Pot-Friendly | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Gem | M. grandiflora cultivar | 6–10 m | Narrow–medium | Moderate–fast | Upright, columnar | Glossy, open canopy | Fair (needs large pot) | Hedges, privacy screens |
| Teddy Bear | M. grandiflora cultivar | 3–6 m | Dense, compact | Slow, controlled | Rounded, bushy | Thick, velvety brown underside | Excellent | Pots, small gardens, focal tree |
| Kay Parris | M. grandiflora cultivar | 4.5–7.5 m | Narrow, compact | Moderate | Upright, dense | Smaller leaves, brown underside | Good | Narrow spaces, screening |
| Alta | M. grandiflora cultivar | 6–9 m | Very narrow (columnar) | Moderate–fast | Tight column | Dense, glossy | Fair | Tight-space hedges, driveways |
| Baby Grand | M. grandiflora cultivar | 4.5–6 m | Compact | Slow–moderate | Rounded, dense | Small, dark green | Good | Small gardens, mixed borders |
| Bracken's Brown Beauty | M. grandiflora cultivar | 7.5–9 m | Medium–wide | Moderate | Pyramidal | Cold-hardy, brown underside | Poor | Cold-climate specimen tree |
| D.D. Blanchard | M. grandiflora cultivar | 9–12 m | Wide, pyramidal | Fast | Broad pyramid | Large, glossy, bronze underside | Poor | Large specimen/shade tree |
| Claudia Wannamaker | M. grandiflora cultivar | 12–18 m | Wide, oval | Moderate | Upright oval | Classic large glossy leaves | Poor | Estate/large landscape tree |
| Edith Bogue | M. grandiflora cultivar | 7.5–10.5 m | Medium, pyramidal | Moderate | Pyramidal | Cold-hardy, dense | Poor | Northern-zone specimen tree |
| Southern Magnolia (species standard) | M. grandiflora | 18–24 m | Very wide | Moderate | Broad pyramid | Large, classic glossy | Not suitable | Large estates, parks |
| Victoria | M. grandiflora cultivar | 9–12 m | Wide | Moderate | Pyramidal | Cold-hardy, thick | Poor | Cold-climate specimen |
| Samuel Sommer | M. grandiflora cultivar | 12–15 m | Wide | Fast | Broad, spreading | Very large leaves/flowers | Poor | Large statement tree |
| Star Magnolia (M. stellata) | Deciduous species | 3–4.5 m | Similar to height | Slow | Rounded, multi-stem | Deciduous, star-shaped flowers | Excellent | Small yards, early-spring bloom |
| Saucer Magnolia (M. soulangeana) | Deciduous hybrid | 4.5–7.5 m | Wide, spreading | Moderate | Multi-stem, spreading | Deciduous, large pink/white blooms | Fair | Ornamental spring specimen |
| Jane Magnolia | Deciduous hybrid ('Little Girl' series) | 3–4.5 m | Compact | Slow | Shrubby, multi-stem | Deciduous, late-blooming (avoids frost) | Good | Small-space spring color |
| Sweetbay Magnolia (M. virginiana) | Semi-evergreen species | 6–12 m | Narrow–medium | Moderate | Upright, airy | Silvery leaf underside | Poor | Wet soils, native plantings |
| Ann Magnolia | Deciduous hybrid ('Little Girl' series) | 2.5–4 m | Compact, shrubby | Slow | Multi-stem shrub | Deciduous, deep purple-red blooms | Good | Containers, borders |
| Dwarf Southern Magnolia (generic dwarf cultivars) | M. grandiflora dwarf types | 3–5 m | Compact | Slow–moderate | Rounded–upright | Varies by cultivar | Good | Compact hedges, small yards |
By space constraint:
By purpose:
Q: My magnolia's leaves are yellowing — why? Usually nutrient deficiency or overwatering. Improve drainage and check soil pH before adding fertilizer.
Q: Growth seems too slow. Likely poor soil quality or insufficient sunlight. Most M. grandiflora cultivars want full sun to partial shade.