For plants with smaller statures but equally impressive floral displays there is the Little Girl series of magnolias. This series of hybrids was developed at the National Arboretum in the 1950s for shrub-like form and colorful flowers. Judy,' 'Betty,' 'Ann,' 'Ricki,' 'Susan,' 'Randy' and 'Pinkie,' are large shrubs ranging in height from 8 to 15 feet. Flowers vary slightly between cultivars but are generally challis-shaped and usually pink or purple in color. Flowers appear later in the spring season thus avoiding destruction by late spring frosts.
Flowers usually appear just prior to or with the emerging leaves.
The habit varies slightly between cultivars with 'Ricki' being rather upright and 'Betty' more spreading or rounded. Planting and Maintenance Magnolias prefer a full sun location with well-drained soils. They are adaptable to soil types, even tolerating clay soils, but they insist on good drainage. Waterlogged soils often lead to an early demise. Spring planting of larger specimens is best as most root growth occurs in spring.