It's difficult to analyze from the photos, but it may be phomopsis twig blight. If so, then you have serious problems. It wiped out my entire planting of 13 bushes. By the time I diagnosed it, fungicides were of no help. I believe it arrived on the plants from the nursery, as I have 3 other older plants on the other side of the property that are very healthy. The disease discouraged me from replanting. Good luck.

I suspect your problem is lime leaching into the soil. Although our organic friends get very upset over the use of peat moss, when planting narrow beds 'twixt' new foundation and new sidewalk it is wise to dig in a bale of peat moss for acidity. Or, don't plant acid loving shrubs in that situation. The leaching lime will be a problem for many years. Also, we have found in new construction that nothing will grow in spots where painters/contractors have tossed their left over bucket residues near a foundation, usually by a convenient door. And, hollies sometimes just up and die with no reason. I have grown enough of them to know this happens. The soft-touch holly is fairly new to the market. A beautiful holly, by the way. We will have to grow them on and learn of their likes and dislikes. The problem could have originated with the grower. In the meantime it would be best to replace your dead ones with a non acid loving shrub.

I've repotted a few I know were in solid, concrete-like soil. I simply lifted them out and put them into a bigger pot with pine fines. I broke the root ball a little. I figure when they're dormant, I'll do a better root treatment. I've got the Bayer 3-in-1 and treated my big maples (Autumn Blaze, etc) with the Tree and shrub. Now that I know what to look for as far as insects are concerned, I'm horrified. I'm not so sure as far as fungus is concerned, but I got the recommended fungicide and applied it to the trees Owen found fungus on. I'm watching Oshi Beni, Sherwood Flame and Nicholsonii closely, because 1/2 of those aren't good. Owen things a lot of the die back I experience isn't necessarily from the cold winters, but rather bad soil. My Inazuma death after being in the ground for about 5 years was bugs and fungus. Where I have obvious bugs (dead leaves on the end, chewed foliage) I've used a big spray. My Sunny Sister is practically bald from bugs, and the deer haven't touched the Green Cascade again after the deer-stink spray. It's refoliating. I did put a Winter Flame into a bigger pot, then that into an even bigger pot, buried 1/2 in the ground with rocks in the bigger pot. That's one that will go into the ground this fall. I have 2 others I did the same to, but I don't remember their names at the moment. I'm confused by your use of the term passé. As it usually refers to a fashion statement, as in last year's, I can't tell if you're referring to repotting as a good or bad thing. I do think I have some trees that could handle it, but I'm practically paralyzed with fear. I do know I just killed my Fjellheim. 7 years old. I grabbed the wrong bottle when I followed directions and soaked the leaves to dripping with fungicide. I realized what I'd done and rinsed it thoroughly, but I'm afraid 8 hours of Round-Up is deadly. I'm looking for turface and oil dry. Owen had me get Turfstone, which is recycled glass and can be rinsed and reused. I am looking at all the threads on particle size, and thing these must be a bit big in conjunction with pine fines. Plus, they're stupidly expensive for someone with over 100 to repot.

Okay. We don't have true central heat, but heat with a wood stove. That room tend to run cold. No water pipes. No central heat. Just wood, wall, books, and fabric. I could also try the colder cellar with some weak light from a cellar window with translucent film over it. My ancesters were all English and came to 'America' in the 1600's (Puritans -Quaker). I grew up on the New England coast (cool) and always hoped to visit England. For now I get by watching Masterpiece Theatre pieces. I swear, I watch some and the repeats just to drink in the landscape, geology and foliage. Lucky you, Campanula. I grew up where people had interesting accents. When I went away to college, my accent was pointed out to me time and again, so I worked to eliminate it (I was living away in urban areas then, so easy enough to do for one one tuned in to pronunciation. I usually have to put the TV subtitles on with some of the U.K. programs, even though if I were to visit for a few weeks, I'd be speaking with the same accent. When watching these programs, I find myself repeating the words and accent a few times. I just love that! I tell my friends that I wasn't meant to be carried over here. I don't like hot weather. Love the smell of grass, shore, woods, moss, sheep, horses and cows. I love knitting with good wool yarn, but it's always too hot to enjoy sweaters here. If Poppleton and Emu still make that 100% wool, dark blue black 5-ply navy Guernsey yarn, I might order some to make a simple jumper. Pass me a scone and pour me a cup of tea. Embothrium, I can try a window area in the cellar, otherwise that lavender will have to get its own rental unit in a greenhouse. Thanks both of you for your help.