Question: My boxwood plants are dying one at a time. I’m afraid I’m going to lose the whole row. What could cause that?

Answer: If you see one plant die, then the ones adjacent to it, that’s probably root knot nematodes. They’re microscopic soil-borne worms that love boxwoods more than almost any other plant. There is no chemical control for nematodes. If you eventually have to remove and replace the boxwood, use dwarf yaupon hollies. They’re resistant to nematodes, yet they have about the same texture and form as the boxwood. They can also handle the shade far better than boxwood.