What a wonderful pattern the weather has settled into.Last Friday our gardens had a delightful drop of rain and then the weather warmed for the week. This week looks to be the same again, just perfect for gardening.Just inside the gate at our office are five good sized magnolia “Little Gems”. A friend rescued them from a building site in Melbourne because he knew we were skilled and passionate about giving new life to unwanted plants.These magnolias flowered this week. We felt like proud parents, well foster parents. The flowers are delightful. Large white buds opened to reveal beautiful cream blooms, fresh and fragrant.Magnolias are a fabulous group of plants. In spring we are treated to the magnificent blooms of the deciduous magnolias. Spectacular displays of purple, pink or white flowers on bare stems are one of the highlights of spring in Ballarat, Melbourne and elsewhere in cooler climates. In addition to the spring blooms there are a range of evergreen magnolias that bloom in summer and into autumn. Magnolia grandiflora is one such beautiful tree. It has large creamy white fragrant flowers in summer and into autumn. They are said to be the largest flowers of any tree or shrub in temperate climates and the large glossy leaves give a luxuriant appearance. This magnificent tree hails from south eastern USA. Because it grows to 25 to 30 metres it can only be enjoyed in really large gardens. Fortunately for garden lovers the world over a dwarf form was bred in 1952 by Steed’s nursery in North Carolina. The magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’, the dwarf form of the Bull Bay Magnolia (magnolia grandiflora) has been a big success. Its compact size around five metres or so after 15 years means it can fit into most garden situations. The flowers are just slightly smaller than those on its larger relative but it makes up for that with an abundance of flowers. The dark green glossy foliage, its excellent compact growth and fabulous flowers make this magnolia highly sought after. To get the best results from this group of plants make sure the soil is well drained and has heaps of organic matter. Once they are established they are reasonably tough. Through normally dry periods of the year they will benefit from deep soakings on a regular basis once a month. We also give them a good drink with liquid seaweed solution and an application of a good organic fertiliser. The one situation they do not like is exposure to hot northerly winds which dry and crack the leaves. All of the evergreen varieties of magnolia object to hot northerly winds so give them protection behind a windbreak or wall and more regular irrigation if needed. Magnolias don’t appreciate root disturbance once they are planted out. They have very coarse roots which will object to cultivation so plant them at the back of beds or in situations where they won’t be disturbed and mulch them well.“Little Gems” do however enjoy regular pruning which makes them great hedge plants. Their large leaves give a relaxed feel to the hedge and hence the garden. Their shiny dense habit makes them a wonderful choice for a quick-growing screen. Of course they also make wonderful feature plants in a central spot in the garden. They also grow well in large containers if you make sure they are kept moist.The underside of the leaves is a soft furry, rich, reddish-brown. You can achieve a stunning effect if you plant them against a wall painted in a similar rich reddish brown or dark grey. They are a great alternative for a hedge in this position.If you are looking for a well behaved low-maintenance plant that is relatively free from pests and diseases then “Little Gem” is perfect for you.TOP TIPS