Question
Ilive in Spain and have a beautiful jasmin which I have had for years.Itis about six foot tall and is full of beautifulsmelling small white flowers, but this summer the leaves have gone brown and it looks as though it is dying.It has been very hot this summer, but then it always is.Do you think I should cut it down to the trunk or just try pruning the branches and hope it picks up?

Answer
Marilyn:
Greetings from a far! So far you are my furtherest customer--CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Browning of the leaves can be a direct result of lack of water or even too much as well.  Scratch some of the smaller twigs w/finger nail. Do this several places to get an idea of how much tissue is still alive. If it is green beneath the bark, leave it there- if brown you can prune out.  Be sure to deep water during hot/dry periods.  Some of our plants are very forgiving---up to a point! Then you can water them until you are blue in the face and it still doesn't bring them back from the depths.