Hi Adam,
nice blooms coming Adam!
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I know there's some debate about which is hardier Edith Bogue or BBB. The only thing I know is I've seen about 30 BBBs here in Springfield as opposed to 2 Edith Bogues. You might have more luck with the BBBs. And if you have the time and money you might try the same thing a couple of times. I thing Southern Mags are like other plants - they all have varying degrees of hardiness. What works for one may not work for another.
Jeff
Also, I'm not an expert but from everything I've read, the bigger Magnolia you get the better the chance it has for survival. And the first year we watered ours almost EVERY day in the summer.
Jeff