Question
I had 7 10" English Boxwood planted around the brick
walkway to my front door.  They are in morning shade and
afternoon sun, all except 2 that are in all day shade.  They
were planted in April of this year.  I am in Zone 7 in Orange
County, VA.  My soil is hardpan clay; however the soil was
amended for the plantings.  They are in an area that drains
well, and they have been well watered (much rain).  Now, to
my dismay, they are dieing off!  Leaves lighten up and lose
chorophyll color, then turn brown, and finally drop!.  The
ONLY thing I have done to them is to add a modicum of
blood meal in late June.  I have raised English box in this
same area, actually only one mile away where they got the
same treatment, plenty of water and a little blood meal in
June. They have done very well.  I am baffled.  And now that
the plants are going one by one, I am wondering if this is
some kind of disease.  I shall appreciate ANYTHING you can
tell me to help if not the box, at least my knowledge. Also,
perhaps, I have thought, I should try another plant along
the walkway.  It cannot be a large, or even a medium size
shrub, but rather a small to medium size.  One more thing,
I planted white vinca between the shrubs, and that has
done well.  A different animal I know!  Speaking of animals,
no, there is no dog that had done this.  Again, many
thanks. Betty Rogers

Answer
Hi Betty
if you had sucess with this type of shrub in another location the the only difference is enviromental site conditions. hardpan clay even amended has dificulty completely draining well that plus the addition of the blood meal has caused the browning of the leaves. the shrubs are being deprived of oxygen and they are being burned by the blood meal. the vinca will create competition
and hinder shrub development. ease up on the watering a bit don't use blood meal and get rid of the vinca if you want to save the shrubs, or if its not to late.  Good Luck  larry  ;-)