Sounds like it needs more water than it's getting. You're in a hot climate. Probably not a good idea to dig it up to check roots. Water, water, and be patient til next year.

I was thinking more water also. I have a friend who has this planted in a very wet garden, almost a bog garden, and it is doing well.

:)
Dee

I've got two of these growing in full shade where the soil is rich but the only source of water is what falls from the sky. Both are looking good so far but thanks for the "water, water, water" advice. With this dry spell, chances are mine would have started to show some stress too. I'll set some milk jugs near them with the pinhole an inch from the bottom so they get the water right at the base of the plant.

I agree it sounds like drought, but not sure. Mine has done great the last 2 summers, which were very wet. But this year which has been brutally hot and dry for New England I kinda overlooked watering them (they are established plants) and suddenly noticed that the foliage was crisping and splaying and the flowers were drying up! This is one of the pollinators most favorite plants, so I was kicking myself for not watering at least enough to have half-decent flowers.

It's a rugged plant though, not likely to die from a dry spell.

Teri2 again. Gosh, I just can't imagine that it's thirsty. This is a new bed and I've been giving everything a drink from the hose on days that it doesn't rain. The soil there is sticky clay that stays moist-wet pretty much all the time. But I did amend it in and around the planting holes. Have you ever heard of one getting too much water? I guess not, from diggerdee's post.

If it hasn't rooted much into the surrounding soil, it is possible for the original rootball to dry out even with wet soil around it.

I have a stand of these that is at least 6 years old in my zone 6b garden. They are growing happily in bright shade among large trees and shrubs. This year one plant looks like it dried up or was eaten and the leaves on another one are dried up and curled. Looks like it is dying. Leaves on others are starting to curl. They are in soil that is always damp - at the bottom of a slope. I don't think lack of water is the problem. Any comments are appreciated. Thanks.

Maybe the soil is too wet? Cimicifuga likes moist soil but when too wet for too long a time it can get all kinds of fungus diseases (Rhizoctonia being the main one). Poor air circulation in combination with prolonged wet weather can also cause leaf spot disease.

I don't think the soil is too wet but we have had a lot of rain this year. As for air circulation, this garden is on the ocean and it is very windy. They've been wonderful, care-free plants for six years..