Melinda's Garden Moment Radio Tips

Melinda Myers

Nationally known gardening expert, TV/Radio host, author & columnist with over 30 years of horticulture experience and tons of gardening information to share! www.melindamyers.com

Melinda's Garden Moment videos will help you create that beautiful landscape you’ve always wanted. Each week throughout the growing season, a new gardening video will be added right here, so be sure to stop back. You can also watch Melinda’s Garden Moments on your local network TV station affiliate.

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Magnolias include nearly 80 species of trees and large shrubs. They are widely prized for their spring, often fragrant, blooms of pink, white, yellow, purple or green.

Magnolia’s early blossoms can be eliminated by one late spring frost. Fortunately, hybridizers at the US National Arboretum developed ‘The Little Girl Series’ of magnolias that bloom later in the spring and sporadically throughout the summer extending your enjoyment by months. The series includes Ann, Betty, Susan, Jane, Judy, Pinkie, Randy, Ricki and Susan.

The Little Girl magnolia hybrids are hardy in zones 4 through 8 and prefer fertile well-draining soil. They flower best in full sun but will tolerate some light afternoon shade.

These small trees grow 8 to 15 feet tall, making them perfect for both small and large landscapes.

A bit more information: The Little Girl hybrids are low branched with a shrub-like form. They can easily be trained into a small-scale tree.  The most readily available hybrids and their flower colors are:  Ann (deep purple-pink), 'Betty' (pink-purple), 'Susan' (red-purple) and 'Jane' (light pink-purple).