There are many different magnolias, and every year the number of new varieties increases. It seems that hybridizers want to achieve some invisible goal. But whatever the case, some varieties do not lose their appeal decades after they were born.
The main difference between Magnolia Little Gem and Teddy Bear Magnolia is that Magnolia Little Gem is higher (15-25 ft) and narrower than Magnolia Teddy Bear (15-20 ft). Teddy Bear Magnolia creates a lower and wider (10-12 ft) canopy while Little Gem Magnolia is more pyramidal (8-10 ft). Also, Little Gem has a longer flowering period than Teddy Bear which is an absolute advantage of the former. In addition, the leaves of Magnolia Little Gem are elongated while those of Teddy Bear Magnolia are wider and oval in shape.
Magnolia Little Gem was obtained by seedling selection in the 1950s at a North Carolina nursery. The origin story of Magnolia Teddy Bear is lost to time, one thing is certain that it has another name, Magnolia grandiflora Southern Charm.
| Magnolia Teddy Bear | Magnolia Little Gem | |
| USDA Hardiness zone | 7-9 | 7-9 |
| Mature height | 15-20 ft (4.5-6 m) | 15-25 ft (4.5-7.5 m) |
| Mature width | 10-12 ft (3-3.6 m) | 8-10 ft (2.4-3 m) |
| Growth rate | slow | medium |
| Flowers size | 8” across | 8” across |
| Leaf size | 5” long and 3” wide | 5” long and 2” wide |
| Reblooming | yes (fall) | yes (late summer, fall, early winter) |
| Light exposure | Full sun, partial shade | Full sun, partial shade |
| Soil | moist, drained | moist, drained |
| Soil pH | 6.2-7.0 | 6.4-7.3 |
| Watering | One time per week in a drought | One time per week in a drought |
| Diseases | fungus | fungus |
| Pests | insects | insects |
Magnolia Teddy Bear and Magnolia Little Gem
Blooming is different
The flowering of these two amazing magnolias, although similar, still has several significant differences.
The first is the shade of the flowers. Their flower size is about the same – 8 inches across. The color of the petals is white. But Teddy Bear has a creamy white color while Little Gem is grayish-white. The difference is not significant but if you look at the flowers up close you will see the difference.
The second is the flowering period. The first time both varieties bloom is in the spring. Then comes the heat of summer and they drop the flowers. The first one to re-bloom is Little Gem, which starts in late summer and can last the whole fall and even early December. Teddy Bear blooms once more in early fall and that’s it.
Besides, both the first and second blooms of Little Gem last longer than Teddy Bear. This means you get a longer flowering period if you choose Little Gem.
Lastly, Little Gem blooms with more flowers than its competitor. The difference isn’t huge but noticeable.
At this stage of the contest, Little Gem gets an unconditional victory.
Teddy Bear is wider
The next thing that separates these two varieties is their growth habit. They are medium-sized trees that are pyramidal in shape but still have differences.
Little Gem is 15-20 feet tall, under ideal conditions (in warm climates) it can reach as high as 25 feet. It usually grows no more than 10 feet wide. Which means it has a more elongated (narrower) shape.
Under similar conditions, the Teddy Bear will not reach more than 20 feet in height. But it can easily reach 10 or even 12 feet wide. It follows that it has a more broadly pyramidal growth habit.
Besides, the growth rate is also slightly different. Little Gem grows a little faster than Teddy Bear.
From all of the above in this chapter, it follows that if you want a tree with a wider canopy for shade then choose Teddy Bear. And if you want to get a beautiful flowering tree quickly, Little Gem is a good choice.
Leaves have several differences
The last difference is the leaves. Each variety has a few peculiarities in the appearance of the leaves and these together make the foliage not the same.
Teddy Bear leaves are 5 inches long and 3 inches wide. The shape is oblong-oval. Little Gem has a narrower leaf 5 inches long and 2 inches wide. The broader leaves of the former have a slightly prettier appearance.
The next is a brown fuzz on the backside of the leaf. Little Gem has a very tiny light brown fluff, it is almost impossible to see it, only by touching it can you feel it. Teddy Bear has a more pronounced fuzz that looks almost like fur. Besides, the brown color is much more intense.
As a result, Teddy Bear has a sharp contrast between the upper green part of the leaf and the lower deep brown. Little Gem can’t offer the same effect. Also, Teddy Bear’s leaves are a little darker, which gives them more solidity.
Little Gem Magnolia
Similarities
Next, we will talk about what these two magnolias have in common. Although even here there are small differences that do not deserve a separate chapter, so be sure to read all of the following so as not to miss any information that will help choose a plant.
Fragrant
The first thing they have in common is the scent. Many homeowners choose magnolias because their smell is very pleasant and attracts bees and other insects, so the garden is filled with life.
Both of these varieties have a strong scent that can be felt from afar. It can be described as sweet.
Little Gem has a slight advantage here with a longer flowering time and you will enjoy its scent for a longer time.
Magnolia Little Gem and Magnolia Teddy Bear
Growing conditions
Both Teddy Bear and Little Gem are considered not demanding plants, but there are still some conditions that you need to follow.
The first is the climate. It has been proven that they can grow in the 7 through 9 USDA hardiness zones. Some nurseries recommend growing them in zone 10a, but there’s no clear indication that this is possible. In fact, magnolias can be uncomfortable in hotter climates so you run a risk if you plant them south of zone 9 or north of zone 7.
The next thing is sun exposure. Exactly what you shouldn’t do is put these trees in a lot of shade. You have to give them at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. In zone 7, the amount of sun can be more (8 hours). For part of the day they can stay in the shade. Also Teddy Bear requires slightly less light than Little Gem.
But both of these plants will grow fine in full sun as well. In this case, they will even have richer leaf color and bloom more abundantly.
Humidity is not the most important factor in the successful cultivation of magnolias. Both of these varieties will grow well in both humid and dry climates. The only thing not to do is to place them in a very humid location with poor air circulation, as this can result in leaf spotting.
Watering
Once magnolias are established in your garden, they can tolerate a little drought. But that doesn’t mean they don’t need watering at all. Both of today’s guests need enough water to thrive and have beautiful flowers.
Watering is especially important in the first 2-3 years after you plant them in your garden. You need to water magnolias once or twice a week during the summer drought. The amount of water should be at least 1 gallon. In severe drought conditions, the amount of water should be increased to 2 or even 3 gallons.
In spring and fall, the soil moisture is usually high so watering is not necessary. But if the weather is dry and the ground is more than an inch dry, water the plants with enough water to keep the soil around them moist.
In the winter, don’t water magnolias because they are dormant and excess moisture can cause roots to rot.
In addition to timely watering, you should also mulch the surface around the magnolias. This will reduce the speed of drying the substrate. Good quality compost works best as mulch. A layer of mulch should be at least 2 inches. Do not bury the tree trunk in the mulch, as this can cause it to rot.
Soil
Whether you choose Little Gem or Teddy Bear, they both tolerate most types of soil well. But I would still recommend the best conditions possible.
The ideal soil for magnolias is a loose and nutritious substrate that does not dry out too quickly but does not have water stagnation.
To get such a soil mixture you have to mix 50% of the native soil in the planting hole with some quality compost, which I recommend use for mulching. That’s it, with such soil you will get generously flowering magnolias in your garden.
But to replenish their strength after blooming profusely, magnolias need a dose of fertilizer. It is best if you use fertilizer in the form of pellets that release slowly throughout the season. The fertilizer should have equal amounts of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.
Magnolia Teddy Bear
Magnolia Teddy Bear and Magnolia Little Gem have similar problems
Each of these magnolias is considered a hardy plant and health problems rarely arise. However, it does sometimes happen and you need to know what to do in this case.
The first thing you may encounter is verticillium wilt. It is a disease that affects the branches and leaves of the magnolia. To avoid this, you must always use sterile tools when working on the plant. Magnolia should grow in a sunny location with good air movement, I’ve already written about this in more detail above.
It’s also possible to get infected by various fungus spores you might notice as spots on the leaves. All this can be treated by spraying fungicides.
The second is pests. The most common pests are scale. It is not easy enough to get out, only regular spraying with horticultural oil will help to solve the problem. It is also possible to be infested by other insects. In extreme cases, you can use more effective insecticides.