Ask at HD or Lowe's if they can order you a smaller one. They will do that if their suppliers have it. Its' hard to find them smaller, because most people don't want them small. I'm no in Tampa, but if you can find a locally owned nursery, you may be able to find a smaller one there.

Dirtygardener, Thank you.

I asked a local nursery. the price is about $95. So maybe lowes and homedepot are the best choice.(1 year guaranteed)

When I was in TX, somewhere near Greenville, in 2009, Lowes was having a sale on all of their plants at 75% off, including Little Gem Magnolias. I bought two or three magnolias at something like $10 or $15 apiece during that sale. We then went right across the street and tried to get HD to match their prices using a generalized 'everything is 75% off' all plants, but they (HD) claimed that there was no way Lowes would sell any plants that were in good condition for 75% off, that it was all dead or dying stuff. We invited that man to come out into the parking lot to see the two truckloads of plants we had just bought from there and show him a receipt of the sales, to prove him wrong, but he just said, "there's no way HD can price match it. We'd be losing money," and he walked away. I suppose, if the right person were managing, they probably would have agreed to it, but that's the luck of the draw.

I don't know which Lowes stores may do a store-wide 75% off sale, but you could always ask them if they ever have them and what time of the year it is. The ones in Texas were doing it in the spring.

xentar, Thank you so much for sharing your experience in Texas. I was in Dallas a few years ago. I know you could have lots of chance to find deals there. but here, it 's not that easy. yes, I will keep my eye on it.

Thanks again for your imputing so many words. :)

This is the time to buy and plant a magnolia tree, as I'm sure you already know. I live on the SW coast of Florida, on the border of zone 9b/10a and have two glorious magnolia trees on my front lawn. One is an Edith Bogue, planted almost three years ago. It was about 15 ft tall when planted and is now a bit over 18 ft.

The 2nd magnolia is a Little Gem, planted about 5 yrs ago and is now 12 ft tall and growing,...slowly. ( smile ) I am in a large 55 + mobile home park and these two trees are just about ready to sprout their magnificent 11 - 12 in wide white blossoms with a scent to die for. This intense fragrance and eye popping display will go on till mid June, - here anyway. Most of my neighbors are aware, and as they pass my front lawn on their morning walks, some will even pause, smile and take a whiff as the fragrance easily extends that far.

My largest tree, the Edith Bogue is right in front on my screened lanai. Reading a book out there for the next 2 1/2 months will he nirvana,..that's why I was very specific as to where that tree would be planted by the nursery crew. The blossoms should be appearing any day now.

I know my Little Gem didn't cost anywhere near $100, but that was awhile ago at Home Depot. My suggestion is to start calling nearby nurseries, HD, Lowes, etc as well as a couple of online nurseries not too far away that will mail one to you.

Whatever, - ya need to get a move on,..my Edith Bogue has already had one premature blossom. By the way, discovered early on that I am very close to the southern border where these trees will grow. Going north is not a problem evidently,..a neighbor in New York State has one growing there. Another historic specimen grows on the White House grounds. It was transplanted by President Andrew Jackson from his home in Nashville, Tennessee, in memory of his beloved wife Rachel.

You're on the right track, Good luck !

A co-worker gave me 3 Little Gems in 1-gallon pots about a month ago. She got them from a development grand opening. Guess to them it's worth money tearing down 100+ year old pines and giving away free trees to get people to shop. Anyways, I planted all 3 in the back corner of my yard and two turned brown quickly. The third is looking good. The co-worker said she left them on her porch for a couple months without touching them, I wonder if the change of scenery harmed the two.