If it is from lack of water, then it may just now be showing the signs of stress from earlier this year. If you didn't water at all, that isn't good. I have 4 false cypresses, 4 cryptomerias, 3 magnolias and gardenias all planted 1.5 years ago and even with watering they showed some signs of stress earlier this summer (I lost one of the gardenias). Evergreens are hard because they don't really 'droop' like other plants, but the butterfly bushes may have.

I have a rule that until the plants are in the ground 3 years, they get regular watering, unless it rains at least once a week for a total of an inch. It takes that long for some root system to become established.

Dig into the soil and see how dry it is. If you go down a few inches and it's dry, then you need to do a deep watering with a slow sprinkler or soaker hose. You may be able to save your plants.

Thanks Buford. I thought they only had to be really looked after the first season. We're on well water and I've had to be very choosy about what I water this year because it doesn't take much for our well to pump dry (figured that out last year lol). It does fill back up of course after a little while but I'm always afraid I'll damage the pump if I run it dry so I want to avoid doing that again.

They looked so good all year I didn't realize anything might be wrong but I will check the soil moisture and get those back on a watering schedule if it's dry. Any harm in trimming off the dead foliage now or should I wait?

Sincerely, Squirrellypete

You can trim off dead branches anytime.

I noticed my beds were dry when a rose plant in the same bed appeared droopy. Sometimes it's hard to tell. It's been a rough summer.

I have 4 boulevard cypresses that are about 3 years old. They are not exposed to much sun, yet they were doing fine until last year. When we bought the house there were older cypresses that had grown too tall. I kept trimming them but they finally showed more brown than green. I'm wondering if, in addition with not enough watering this year, could the lack of sun be the culprit? They are on the north side, where it gets somewhat damp. Can you suggest another shrub that is as pretty that would grow better under the shadier conditions? We've spent a small fortune replacing the old shrubs..I need some good advice. Should I try to get rid of as much brown as possible now in the late Fall? Hope you can help.

Thanks

I had the same problem with this shrub turning brown in the underlying branches. If I trim the dead branches out, what will happen next? Will the healthy branches fill in the space over time?

Genevieve,

I'm not sure Squirrellypete's problem was the same because he reported such a sudden browning. But, Boulevard Falsecypresses naturally show A LOT of brown in their interior as they age. Removing the dead foliage can help a small amount by letting more light infiltrate the tree and by removing the brown color. The spaces will not fill in, but new growth may somewhat cover over the blank areas. In my opinion, it's not worth the work and these trees (although attractive when young) are best avoided in landscape situations. Very few older specimens are attractive.