Plantoftheweek MAGNOLIA GRANDIFLORA ‘LITTLE GEM’

FROM the southern U.S. comes one of the loveliest trees. Large, glossy evergreen leaves and huge, fragrant, cream-white flowers in late summer make it a year-round beauty. Growing to 18 m with a similar spread, this needs a big garden. But compact M. grandiflora ‘Little gem’ has an upright habit up to circa 6 m. The flowers, appearing now with more coming in autumn, give a fragrant summer show. M. grandiflora will thrive in most soils, even if limy or chalky. For best results, plant it in a sunny spot, where flowers and foliage can be admired.