I've lost an Erysimum that, in the Spring, bloomed profusely and scented the air. It flowered twice then gradually gave up. The stems were dry with no sign of green in them at all. I've also lost a rockery plant, a dwarf Marguerite. Same thing, dry dead stalks and no green when scratched. I shall replace both next year. My ground cover clematis looks unhappy too but tonight I plant to water with the hose. We only have a small garden.

Other things which looked sickly have picked up, mostly because we did have some rain which helped enormously. We still need plenty more though.

Good luck with the magnolias. It sounds as if they're recovering.

2nd Magnolia is sprouting something in September

My biggest problem was the grass. It has recovered now but even with constant watering the grass seed remained dormant. It is growing now.