Yardvaark, I don't know how to post pictures. I'm really wanting suggestions of shrubs that will compliment and look good with the magnolias. Evergreen, 2-3 feet tall, can handle Tx heat, morning sun only. Hopefully someone may have some good ideas. This is for my front flowerbed and nothing else is in the bed at the moment except the 2 teddy bear magnolias. I have one at each corner of the bed.

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.

Here's the thing Keith. Most of the Grandiflora cultivars I have seem to deal with even the heavy wet snow loads--even those with characteristically broad leaves (aligned horizontally or even descending). I only had issues with one cultivar of moderate leaf size whose leaves where oriented much more vertically. I think it's the Teddy bear variety (has a rich cinnamon colored bottom). The snow just accumulated and was caught up in pockets that did not permit it to shed the weight of the snow so that eventually the branches would snap off. I had no problems with any of the following cultivars: Majestic Beauty, Edith Bogue, Little Gem, Green Giant or Victoria. It's an interesting question for further research. Even though these trees need not be adapted for heavy snow loads, I would think that they do have the issue with potential damage from freezing rain and ice storms (which are actually relatively rare here compared to heavy WET snow concerns). Thanks for the thoughtful response. PS. Latest weather woes have nothing to do with snow or ice, currently experiencing torrential rains and gale force winds.

No discoloration on any of mine in Winter. There is an island planting of Eastern Hemlocks on the south side that might help mitigate the Winter sun some, but single digits are kinda rare for me (average January low is around 25, and average minimum low would be in the low teens..., but being 7a, it can get down to around 5 F. in some winters). My Little Gems sailed though last Winter with the sun, I still see more issue with Teddy Bear compared to the LG's. The strong verticality of Teddy Bears seems to accumulate heavy weigh snow until the breaking point. But I see no difference with respect to cold hardiness. My cultivars include..., Victorias, Edith Bogues, Teddy Bears, Little Gems, and Majesty Beauty. I do go out after a heavy snow to try to get the snow off of the Teddy Bears, but sometimes I am too late..., other varieties are usually okay, but I have suffered occasional snow load damage to a branch on Victoria, Majestic, and even Edith Bogue, but they do recuperate their canopy soon enough. BTW, it is the warmer, wetter, heavier, SOUTHERN snow that is the problem..., not the more fine grade arctic snow which is as heavy as cotton candy (fortunately, freezing rains are very rare for me!).