Just about dead

What might be the worst photo you see from me this summer...

...shows the sorry state of two plants that I thought were invincible.

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These Euonymous fortunei were here when I moved in, and are probably original to the house -- which makes them almost 50 years old.

They get pruned by deer all winter long, and have always come back strong -- until this year. Maybe the dry fall/winter was their demise?

It's such a shame too, as I love how the branch structure developed (after I cleared out the lower branches and leaves several years back)

Since these are invasive (or nearly so) here in Missouri, it's not the biggest lost. Still, it means I need to find something else to plant here now. 

Or maybe just leave it empty?


That seems so unlike me... must fill holes with plants!

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