Just a guess without seeing at least a picture as it could be anything from root rot caused by too much water to pests (aphids) on those 2 plants, nitrogen burn from over fertilization, to early stages of one of the foliage diseases. Most likely - too much water in that particular place in the bed. Is it low-lying where water might collect or a poorly draining pocket? Next best would be environmental damage if they are where heavy winds could have affected them more than the others. Next best would be aphids. Next best guess would be maybe Early Blight but its symptoms are very classic - see pictures on the web of it. But with just your description of leaves are brown, dry and the plant looks almost dead it is impossible to do anything but guess. Dave PS: when you have pics to post I'd suggest you post over on the Growing Tomatoes forum here rather than this one.

Hello, alexakaran. If you notice that the leaves are browning from the edges inwards, it sounds like the shrubs need more water. Adding fertilizers now would force new growth but the existing stems are not able to supply the new growth with enough water in the Texas summers so this growth fizzles out and browns out. These ES shrubs were treated well and coddled at the wholesaler and the plant nursery but now they find themselves in a Texas summer and suffer from transplant shock. Their root systems were cut to fit into the ES plastic pots so they are not able to absorb as much water as they need. Top it off with temps that can get from the high 90s to the 110s and they are unhappy. In future years, they should improve and become better adjusted to your garden's; probably in 1-3 years. But they will not be immune completely. For now, check them out frequently from late May thru September and-or after windy days. Look for wilting episodes. Look for browning of the leaves from the edges inwards until the whole leaf browns out. Some green leaves may also dry out and turn papery if exposed to windy, drying breezes. Then they just fall down. I would also make sure that the root ball is not drying out and becoming hydrophobic; so drip water slowly in the area of the root ball like a drip irrigation system would. Alternatively, extract the shrubs from the container, careful not to break the root ball, and dunk them in water for several hours. Then replant them back. The root ball begins to repel water as it starts to dry out so this may help it recover. This time of the year, I have to increase the amount of water and the frequency of waterings. I would make sure they get about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per watering and because they are in pots, you will need to water often. Sometimes, more than once a day in windy locations. Mind you, I am not talking about 60mph gusts, just a constant light breeze under 10mph, the types you get from a/c vents, can dry them when temps are so hot. I typically water the pots and stop when I see water coming out from the bottom. I pause for a while and then start watering again. Makes the soil absorb more of the water. Again, multiple waterings on a day may be needed if the soil dries out quickly due to slightly windy conditions. I always put some mulch on my wide containers (1/4 to 1/2 an inch) to minimize evaporation of water in these containers. And check the pots multiple times a day: insert a finger into the soil and water if the soil feels dry or almost dry. Water the soil early in the mornings and never water the leaves to minimize chances of mildew and other fungal issues. If the leaves wilt, they will recover on their own at night if the soil is moist. If the soil is dry when the leaves wilt, water the soil immediately. I would not try to force new growth with fertilizers this time of the year. Feel free to use low-nitrogen fertilizers now instead. I use liquid seaweed which is a "weak" fertilizer with lots of minor minerals and it can be feed thru the leaves... but clean your leaves first. Hope your shrubs get over the heat soon. When temps hit the daily 100s, no one wants to be outside trying to grow blooms or new leaves! ;o)

Hi, Katiesg07 Given what I am seeing here I am afraid you are killing them with kindness. First seedlings do not need or want to be put in plastic bags. In fact daylily seedlings do much better if you water from the bottom and keep a fan blowing on them to keep the surface of the soil dry and blowing in the wind from the fan . From what I am seeing , I would say you have overwatered them . My recommendation would be to leave them alone for a while let the soil dry out a bit . At this point they may be so wet as to draw fungas gnats and believe me you dont want that . This does not look like damping off ( that usually kills the plant right at the soil surface) and it doesnt look like fungus gnat damage . The larva will eat the plant off at the soil surface . They need light but not hot sunlight so if you have a spot you can put them where there is high light ( real or artificial ) and get a fan blowing on them asap you may be able to rescue these as they dont look that far gone but you need to do it asap . Do not spray with any fungus spray . And keep your fingers crossed ! Not sure where you are located but I am in South Western Ontario Canada and I have just planted my seeds and my seedlings are sprouting as we speak outside. They are in a somewhat slightly shaded spot but still get lots of light . If Iwere you and you are able to put outside I would do so . Keep an eye on them in case they start to dry out too much but you may find once you stop futzing with them they will come along just fine . Good luck with your seedlings. P.s. Seedling dont need fertilizer either !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Very common problem. One reason I stopped growing asters; that and the rabbits. I was again tempted by theNY aster series "showtime" at a farmstand so I googled it on the spot. The Chicago Botanic garden had trials and in the report it said that many asters are disfigured by brown foliage at the bottom. I see that in other late bloomers.often cimigifugas...so I have wondered whether the stress of the growing season and variables in weather and water causes or contributes to browning. I think you need to pay attention to watering evenly....don't stress them with dry and wet.