Here is a closeup of the first plant mentioned in my previous message. Image link:

Agree that they are probably too wet. You don't say how long they've been planted there, but once a week watering is too much for them. The established ones around here went almost two years without rain or supplemental water and didn't even looked stressed.

Yesterday, I had my arborist come by to review some items on my property. My house is quite old, 90 now and many of the plantings have been there for nearly as long I imagine. Keeping them healthy is a concern. There are 2 Mountain Laurels on one side of the home which have seen better days but, continue to bloom profusely each spring. They do need some trimming back - dead heavy branches certainly aren't good to keep on them so starting this year we're going to begin a rejuvenation process. While looking it over yesterday, the arborist (who I know for many years, used him at a different house previously) noticed there was odd damage on nearly every branch low and high. The pattern of damage is circular around the branch, very even, with missing bark and small holes. He had never seen such repetitive strange markings before and immediately we both thought of some kind of animal but weren't sure exactly what. After he left, I found info and photos on Google which clearly were similar and caused by Woodpeckers and Sapsuckers primarily. I sent him a message and he had just heard back from his specialist saying the same thing. So, now we know what did it, but do not know how to remedy it. The specialist thought the damage was not too severe yet - it seemed recent to this past winter which was particularly bad in New Jersey. Probably, they were searching for any kind of food possible. Does anyone know how to keep birds away from specific plantings? I never thought I'd have to keep them away - it's saddens me since I love having birds visit, as does our indoor cats; they give them endless hours of entertainment from afar. Nothing I've seen looks very useful and I'd like to know if anyone has actually used anything which works. Thanks! Laurie

great! i love winterberries! i have the perfect spot for winterberry holly (Ilex Verticillata) and already have an order on one. i think i will move the Mountain Laurel's location over to a less wet area in between the Eastern Red Cedar & pine. NHBabs - thanks for that map! it's been really helpful! i've been researching alot of the viburnums since you mentioned them last. what's your take on Nannyberry (Lentago)? i think i'm eyeing this one for that large semi-shaded area. it should do better than the Arrowwoods i think. i read the Lentago will have a better time beating V. Beetles. i don't have much hope sadly for the Arrowwoods i planted 2 years ago :-( although not confirmed yet. they just didn't leaf much last spring. a