Magnolia 'Jane' & a snail

I need your help this morning.  I've been looking at my Magnolia 'Jane' thru the kitchen window the last few dreary days, and thinking to myself, "it doesn't look good."   Look at this photo taken today and notice how bare the branches are:

You may remember that I purchased this magnolia last year and never got around to planting it.  It overwintered in the nursery pot until I finally put it in the ground this spring.  At first, everything seemed fine.  It even put out a few beautiful pink blossoms.  Sometime over the summer tho, a change occurred (I don't remember when exactly) and she started looking a bit stressed and lost most of her leaves.  (Even tho I complained about a lack of heat, I think it was a great summer for planting shrubs and trees ~ there was certainly abundant moisture which isn't always the case). When I inspected 'Jane' up close this morning, I was surprised to find new growth/buds (??) along all her branches:

I guess I'm never satisfied because although I should be thrilled to find out she's not dead, I am now worrying whether this is a good thing late in the season as it is???  Anyone out there that grows 'Jane' know the answer?  If we get a killing frost anytime soon, I hope it doesn't permanently set her back.  Until I found out about 'Jane' I never dreamed I could grow a magnolia in this climate/zone.  Now that I've discovered her, I definitely don't want to lose her. 

On a different subject entirely, look what was crawling across my driveway this morning (as I was leaving to take my daughter to school):

A snail!  Woo hoo.  He was headed in the direction of my little pond.  I've never seen a snail in my yard before so I don't know where he came from but I'm thinking my tiny water habitat drew him in???  I helped him along by moving him nearer to his destination and out of harms way.  We'll see if he sticks around now.

Comments

[Janet]

I grow Jane, but I am in zone 7b. Mine is continuing to bud and bloom even now into late September. I would mulch her real well for the winter and keep your fingers crossed.

[Marnie]

Sorry, I've never grown Jane. I wouldn't worry as much now as I would with a hard freeze in the late spring. The buds may get nipped (sorry I couldn't resist that old Barney Pfife quote) but the wood has been there since spring and should be ok...I think.
Marnie

[Gail]

I killed the last two Janes I tried to grow...I can't give them what ever it is they need! But I think a mulch cover and good vibes couldn't hurt. The snal has a fantastic shell. gail

[Catherine/gardenerprogress]

I bet she'll be okay. I was noticing how bad my spring planted Magnolia looks now. It was far too dry this summer for an newly planted tree and I wasn't very good about watering it. I hope next spring we both have flowers on our Magnolias to show pictures of.

[RainGardener]

Sorry Kathleen I don't know anything about Jane. But I do wonder why you wanted the snail to continue to live when they destroy so many flowers. I get rid of them as fast as I can if spotted around here. They're right up there with slugs in my yard. ;-)

[Nancy Anderson]

Your blog makes me realize what a terrible gardener I am! We just had 3 major trees removed so now we'll get more sunlight. I hope that helps next year. How is Janae??

[Avis]

Hi,
I don't have a yard, so consequently, no Jane ;-) But I do know that sometimes it takes longer than we think to adjust to a new environment. The buds are a good sign, and I bet by next season it'll be looking great. Cheers!

[Joy]

Kathleen girl !
I love that snail with his home on his back : )
I'm not going to ask about Maypop .. but I'm sure next year will be a much better year for it .. so hang in there girl !
Joy