Q: We have a hedge of boxwoods in front of our house. Several thrive, but we have replanted six many times, and they continue to die. We have replaced the dirt but still have no luck growing the plants.

T.M., Houston

A: It would be helpful to know what symptoms the plants have before the shrubs die. Symptoms of decline include spindly plants, browning/dying branches and yellowish cast to the foliage. Decline can be discouraged with good light, good drainage and air circulation. Avoid overhead watering and over-fertilization, and thin shrubs to improve air circulation.

Root rot causes the entire shrub to die. This can be a problem in heavy clay, and it's encouraged by soil that remains too wet and/or has poor drainage. A fungus can cause the plant to turn from dark green to light and also rots roots.

Check the drainage, and even though you've replaced soil, run a test to determine if any amendments are needed. Take infected plant parts in a sealed plastic bag to a certified nurseryman for help in identifying the problem.

If problems continue, you might think about planting something else.

Q: How do I separate pups from a mother bromeliad plant?

D.K., Houston


Transplant in a container large enough to keep the young plants from tipping over. Use a light, quickly draining medium.

Q: I have a houseplant that's now growing up the side of my house, and the leaves are much larger than the normal leaves.

K.S., Houston

A: Your photo is of devil's ivy, aka golden pothos or Epipremnum aureum, a common, irrepressible houseplant that requires only minimum care. It may trail from a basket down the side of a refrigerator or trickle from the top of a file cabinet at work.

When planted outdoors in our typically mild Zone 9 climate, devil's ivy can climb nearly 20 feet, its heart-shaped leaves morphing from modest indoor dimensions of about 2 inches across to a whopping 1 foot wide.