Magnolia Little Girl

Magnolia Little Girl

Magnolia ‘Little Girl’ Series is a group of deciduous shrub-to-small-tree hybrid magnolias bred at the U.S. National Arboretum in the mid-1950s. The series includes ‘Ann,’ ‘Betty,’ ‘Jane,’ ‘Judy,’ ‘Pinkie,’ ‘Randy,’ ‘Ricki,’ and ‘Susan,’ and these plants were selected to flower about 2–4 weeks later than star magnolia and saucer magnolia, helping reduce flower damage from late spring frosts.  

Type: Shrub / small tree
Mature Size: 8–15' W × 8–15' H, depending on cultivar
USDA Zones: 4a–8b
Form: Compact, upright to rounded

Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil / Water: Rich, moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soils; moderate water, prefers even moisture during establishment
Bloom Time / Length: Mid-spring; moderate (about 2–3 weeks), with some cultivars reblooming lightly in summer

Wildlife: Bees

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for specimen planting, foundation beds, mixed shrub borders, and small gardens. The series is especially valued for compact size, tulip-shaped flowers in pink, purple, red-purple, and white-toned combinations, and improved frost avoidance from later bloom timing.

Care:
Plant in a protected site with fertile, well-drained soil. Water regularly while establishing, mulch to keep roots cool and evenly moist, and prune only if needed just after flowering. Magnolias generally dislike root disturbance and hot, dry exposures. 

Plant type

Deciduous Tree, Flowering Ornamental Tree

Height

8-15'

Width

8-15'

Hardiness zones

4–8

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Mid Spring

Flower color

Pink

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies

Soil

Moist well-drained, Slightly Acidic

Landscape use

Mass Planting, Specimen

Shape

Broad, Rounded, Upright

Bark

Smooth

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No