Since this magnolia was planted in the spring, it should be fine, as far as timing goes. My experience, between the ones I have planted and the ones I have seen planted in several locations locally, is that they do drop a LOT of leaves after planting, and look rather sparse for a few years. They do recover - the Little Gem I planted 6 years ago (in the wrong location, too far from a hose, so it got watered about once a month, although well mulched, so I'm lucky it lived - ignorance is bliss!) is as thick as any I have seen, and thicker than most, while last year's planted BBB is still quite spindly looking, as is the 3-year-old one in front. More worrisome is the vast amount of rain - unless you want to dig it up, all you can do is hope that the soil dries out enough between drenchings to prevent any root-rot. That said, equally, don't let it dry out too much, since it IS newly planted. If it has few leaves, be vigilant against over-watering if/when you do water it. As long as the cambium layer - the green layer just under the bark - is still green, the tree is alive. If you can nurse it through this year and through the winter - keep watering it for the equivalent of an inch of rain per week as long as the ground isn't frozen, if your ground ever does freeze - then it should look almost normal next spring. I think evergreen magnolias have adventitious leaf buds (my deciduous ones had to grow new leaves after the Easter freeze), so you may get a second flush of growth this summer. Despite how tempting it may be, don't fertilize in an attempt to push things along, it may just make matters worse.

Perennialfan, Thanks for the offer. No postage necessary, remembering is the necessary part, LOL. I also appreciate your offer of sending me something, also not necessary. I am DONE planting anything this year. I'm just too tired. I looked at my trees today when I went home for lunch. Most have half their flowers open and the other half aren't. So it may be a while. I've never paid attention so I'm not sure how long from flower to seed. Does anybody out there know? Also, we're suppose to be at 32 degrees some time this week, will that affect seed production? Alexis

Dawn, don't Crossvines bloom only in spring? I have a friend who has one and that is what she tells me??? I have heard their bloom heralds the arrival of the hummingbirds. I think Honeysuckle is a great vine for your stump. You may have to do some winding and training of the new shoots, but it's probably worth it. Another fantastic Lonicera for attracting hummers and butterflies is Gold Flame. I'll attach a photo of blooms and info. It does need good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. But it is gorgeous. The L. sempervirens species of hybrids like Alabama Crimson, Dropmore Scarlet, or Major Wheeler. These bloom all summer as well. If you purchase a honeysuckle as a smaller plant (don't worry, it will grow), it may not bloom this year, or perhaps even next, but it will reach blooming size eventually. During the intervening time between growth and bloom, plant some annual seeds of Cardinal Vine or Cypress Vine. They will grow and attract hummers and the larger butterfly species. They may also reseed for you the following year. Moonflower (Ipomoea alba) is a good one for the night flying sphinx moths that love its nectar. They start flying at dusk and are amazing to watch. Susan Here is a link that might be useful: Lonicera heckrottii 'Gold Flame'

These are propagated by cuttings taken in summer when new shoots end terminal growth and the terminal leaf has attained full size. Use only the long slender shoots. Use the entire shoot, cut the base off squarely, then make 1 or 2 shallow 1" long lengthwise cuts on the side of the bottom end of the of the cutting just barely touching the wood under the cambium I cut off 1/2 of the end of each leaf. Dip the cutting end in the strongest dosage suggested for rooting compound. (I use liquid). Provide bottom heat in sand and maintain either mist or high humidity. The process can take up to 90 days to get adequate roots. Pot up in fertile potting mix as soon as the roots attain good size and harden off slowly.