Thanks so much for the replies. The reason for the dwarf is space. I saw Teddy Bear recently and really liked the dark color of the leaves. It was standing next to Little Gem, and there wasn't much difference, though TB might have been a bit darker. I initially liked Alta because of its upright form, which would work well in my space, but from what I understand, TB and LG might also be upright? I wish I could order some of the more interesting varieties, but I want as large a size as I can afford right now, and I'm afraid shipping would be prohibitive on that. I just talked to someone today who said LG is hardy in my area. So if TB and LG are also upright like Alta, then I have 3 choices which work in terms of size and form. I just don't know how to decide among them. Is one faster growing than the others, maybe? Thanks again.

We will see if your 'Little Gem' is thriving after another series of winters like 2013-2015. The real thing is probably the tenderest commercially popular Magnolia grandiflora cultivar, and is considered barely zone 7 hardy. If there are old, mature ones in your part of the Ohio Valley, by all means tell us about them and post pictures.

Benefit of root pruning in preparation for transplanting as a general practice remains questionable. Of course, when growers do it to make root systems of field stock smaller, more easily dug therefore it certainly has that effect. Otherwise probably much of the time - in various situations - the branching produced by cutting the roots well in advance is nullified during the digging of the specimen by it being cut back to the same point where the advance pruning was done. I moved a small (3' or less) deciduous magnolia once during August, it did great afterward. Because top growth was mature already, roots were not cut so it made a bunch of fall root elongation right after re-planting. Perfect!

Yes, remove the wilted growth. Can you post a picture from the side so that we can see the container?