I have 3 Green Spice all 5 years old planted in the same bed. One of them is just almost disappearing... the foliage is laying on the ground, and not much is new at the crown. Moisture has been consistent this year thanks to abundant rain, and they are in the shade.
Any thought as to what is causing this failure in this one plant?

Have you tugged on the plant to see if it comes out of the soil easily? Check the root system.

Woodthrush- Yes I did check. It's still pretty well rooted in. It did not feel as if it might slip out of the soil. It's not real wet there, although I am hesitatant to water more.
Do you think I ought to dig it up and try it in a container? Thanks for your ideas...!

Kay

are the other 2 ok and where are they located? Have you looked at the crown of the plant at all?

Check the plant several times during the day to see if it's getting full sun in the heat of the day. Maybe as the sun passes overhead, it may be too hot there.

Thanks to you two for the suggestions. The crown of this poor guy is still fairly well secure in the soil. There isn't any new growth showing. The foliage that is there is laying on the ground. If I didn't know better, I'd think it was over watered, but I rarely water them (lots of recent rain) and the ground is not wet.
The other two are in the same bed, one about 3 ft. away, the other maybe 4 ft. away. They both are fine, although I have to say, this has not been their best year.
They do not receive much, if any sun and that would only be in the morning. They are on the north side of my house, next to the deck.
Do you think I ought to cut back the foliage? Would a shot of fertilizer be helpful or a mistake?

Do you see any signs of insect damage?

I got down on my hands and knees to get a good look at this plant. The leaves that are lying on the ground do not appear to be chewed.
Now I'm wondering if a critter might have been in there and done this damage. ( Like taken a nap on it! ) One of the nearby hostas looks a little bedraggled too. We do get occasional racoons and opossum sneakin around in the night. Darn them!
I cut the Green Spice back and will baby it now. I put a little protective barrier around it too.

Keep us posted.
Pam

Thanks for caring!