United States

We had a hedge of firethorn in our from side yard when we moved into our house in 2013. They are huge and had been ignored for many years. We pruned them to clean them up a bit and they always have looked great - lots of blooms and lots of big orange "berries." We live in Las Vegas, si nice and hot, the plants are on a drip line and are very well established (20+ years). Towards the end of this winter I noticed that one of the bushes was dying (he has removed it) but now the next one is dying. Any clues as to why now? Last winter was mild with 2-3 days with frost, this summer has been typically hot but not any hotter than other summers. Water lines are working. The only change in their environment is that we have xeriscaped the yard - but the individual bushes are in their own "planter" so to speak (cement around all 4 sides with free access to soil below) Stumped.

• 19 Aug, 2017