Question: I have lost two shrubs in the same location in my landscape. The shrubs to the left and right are doing great. I found no diseases or insects. They just dried up.

Answer: If you have a sprinkler system, remember that it’s quite common for shrubs to grow tall and cover sprinkler heads. The water is then deflected down into one plant and shielded totally away from the other. You may need either to trim the shrubs back to expose the old head, or you can install a short extender to lift the head above the foliage. Make certain, too, that the head isn’t partially plugged, and that it’s angled the proper direction. If it isn’t due to a difference in irrigation, look for subtle differences in lighting, soil type and depth, as well as the possibility of a gas leak in the vicinity of the dead plants.