Why are my plants dying, one at a time, half of the bush goes brown & dies then the rest of the bush dies?

Its really weird, they (4 in total) are dying one by one, not all at the same time, even though they were planted at the same time and are positioned side by side (trying to grow a hedge). The Garden Centre down the road from where I live say it could be foxes spraying their teritory....

Why are my plants dying, one at a time, half of the bush goes brown %26amp; dies then the rest of the bush dies?
It could be foxes, but if it was you would surely smell them - if not, sounds like the garden centre is wriggling out of any obligation to replace your plants!!





Did you take advice on the best plants to put in that location? It might be wind burn - if its windy there. Most likely cause is probably lack of water.





I would advise you to dig out any dying plants and carefully prepare the ground again. Dig deep as you can, and add a good fertilizer - but not too much, as that couls also cause them to die. (It burns the roots)





Don't skimp on time or preparation (I know it is disappointing when you have done it before)





Go to a different garden centre and describe the lacation and what happened last time. Take their advice about type of plant. You will need to water them in thoroughly and water regularly for at least the first year (and afterwards if it is very dry). Hard work, especially if you are in UK where there is a hosepipe ban!!





Alternatively, you could put up a fence.....but a hedge would look nicer and more natural and is probably worth the effort in the end.





I hope this helps.
Reply:If its the base of the stems turning brown, it good be getting to much water.
Reply:not unless you cut that one down -QUICKLY!!!!
Reply:New bushes and trees require some looking after in their first year, common cause is lack of moisture. Other causes may be due to poor soil condition or bacterial infection. You just have to eliminate the possibles one by one.
Reply:The plants are probably either getting overwatered or underwatered. Also, it's not the best idea to plant bushes or trees in the summer. Summer is about the worst time to plant a tree or bush, because it has more of a chance of dying. Fall is typically the best time to plant a tree or bush (Spring is 2nd) because you have cool weather, more moisture in the ground and you have more time for the roots to grow. In the summer, trees/bushes grow up. In the winter, trees/bushes grow down (meaning their roots grow). If you buy a tree in the summer, it is trying to grow up, using it's energy/resources to grow branches and leaves when it doesn't have much of a root system to support it. So it needs plenty of water to help keep in alive.





It also may be partly due to the type of soil you have your bushes in. If you have rocky soil, it could make it hard for your bushes to grow or get nutrients. You may also want to check the pH level of the soil. Also be careful of what weed killers you use around your shrubs. That could also be affecting them.
Reply:One other possibility if you bought them in pots, they may have been root bound. When you buy plants in pots, you need to check the root ball before planting. If the roots have encircled the out side of the root ball,you need to gently pull them loose before planting.
Reply:Assuming that they are neither under or over watered - as you will have already checked that (yes?). The other cause could be activity under the soil around the roots. Mice, or other small mammals, could be nibbling the roots. This would explain why they are dying one after the other rather than all at once, a family of mice or voles could be making their way along the line! Dig around the area and see what you can find.
Reply:Could be alot of things and ignore you're garden center. Most probavly its you're soil, get some pete and dig it in and water it after the sun goes down.