In many areas Oriental lilies benefit from some afternoon shade. IF it is really hot and sunny in that spot then they may need extra water. Lilies yellowing/browing up from the bottom is often lack of water. I seriously doubt the cat has anything to do with it. Poop generally fertilizes rather than damages.

It's so late in the season, I would expect some leaf drop. Also those poor plants have probably been in pots sitting around at Lowes for many months and a few weeks for you. That in itself would cause some stress and more leaf drop. Unless the plants look like they're croaking completely, I doubt you have anything to worry about. Get them in the ground so they have some time to establish themselves before winter - assuming you are in a colder climate. You don't give any info about where you're at. Kevin

My response is kind of late, but maybe it will help anyway. Plantings next to the house foundation have been known to have problems at times, so it may not be surprising that a hydrangea in such a spot might also have problems. For one thing, foundations provide some protection against the rain--which could mean that the plant, overall, is getting less moisture, even though you are watering it the same as other plants that also get moisture from the rain. In other words, watering that hydrangea "the same" as the other ones may be the problem--because it needs MORE WATER to compensate for some missing rain water. It can also be warmer next to a house foundation--another reason a hydrangea in that spot might need MORE WATER than the other ones do. Don't know if this will solve your problem, but next year, I'd try extra watering and see if that helps. Kate

Could be lots of things going on. The hydrangea looks water logged. Is that standing water I see on the right? How much sun are they in? The hostas leaves could be scorching in the sun, but they will most likely be okay next year. They get acclimated to more sun, but depends on the type. Make sure they aren't planted too deep. The leaves on the hydrangea could be some type of disease. Maybe post it on the hydrangea forum. Just some thoughts to get you started. But most problems are cultural...soil, sunlight, etc.