In order to isolate a cause as most probable, you need to eliminate those least probable. It doesn't look like a disease issue, so you should probably concentrate on insects, being root bound, nutritional deficiency, light, or watering habits (under/over-watering). First, inspect for pests. The two primary suspects would be spider-mite or scale. You'd probably notice mealybug if that was the problem. If there are no 'sticky' leaves, or the surface under the plant isn't sticky, it's probably not scale. Hold a white piece of paper under an affected leaf and tap it; then inspect the paper carefully for moving mites about as fine as finely ground pepper. How long have you had the plant? Is it badly root bound? Ever repotted it? Tight roots cause slowed branch extension and loss of lower and interior foliage. Have you been fertilizing regularly? with what? how often? Nutritional deficiencies will cause the plant to shed old foliage, extracting everything it can, to supply the new growth with whatever nutrients it can cannibalize from the old foliage it's shedding. Sometimes, chronic over/under-watering can cause nutritional deficiencies, and either over/under-watering can cause a drought response, the most noticeable symptom of which is foliage that looks like yours looks. Light can also be a major issue - especially if the plant was recently moved from a bright spot to one dimmer ...... or if it was only recently purchased and is in the process of acclimating to a 'less bright' environment. So - what rings a bell, and what can you eliminate as likely causes? Al

Kippy: good to know! We do have evidence of moles, but luckily no holes/tunnels big enough for the groundhogs in the yard (the terrier likes to hunt them both which also helps!). The verdict so far has been dangerous bunnies, so I am very interested in the lavender idea. Plus I love the way it looks and smells! Catsrose: GREAT post! I don't mind sharing, but only if the nibblers promise to leave enough for me too! I do purposely plant the berries outside the fence line and only count on a few good gallons for myself- the deer, birds, and black bears are welcome to the rest. I second madteaparty's request: What are you favorite companions? floridarose and socks: Looks like we need Zoolander's Center for Ants that Don't Read Good! morden: I concur! madteaparty: where are you located? I've never tried any of those as rose companions, but in zone 7 Virginia I've had great luck with salvias coming back every year without being invasive monsters. Catmint, however, was a major, yearly, can't beat it with a stick sprawler. Loved the way it looked and smelled, but it will get out of control easily if you let it!

Another picture of the infected leaf

I found this thread when I googled tomato plant wilting at top. One of my plants was severely wilted this morning. Fearing something that might spread to the others, I pulled the plant and prepared to take it in to the county extension office. Then I realized it is Friday, and they don't accept samples on Fridays, since they would not be able to get them to VA Tech in good shape, if the local office can't diagnose the problem. My problem sounds exactly like the ones described here. The only other clue I have, which may be unrelated, is that this particular plant had some damage three weeks agonwhich looked exactly like hornworm damage, but I was unable to find any pest. Following suggestions on this thread, I cut off the top of the wilted stem and placed it in water. No cloudiness came out, and six hours later, the piece in water has recovered from the wilt, and looks great. I cut the main stem at several points, and it looked normal. I then slit the stem for about eight inches. Again, nothing out of the ordinary. I will dig up the rest of the rootball for any further clues. It is clear the top of the plant was not getting water, but I don't know why.