You'll need to decide if your winter was harsh enough to cause this kind of damage. It certainly was in many parts of the country.

If not that, examine the soil moisture content....has it been too dry for too long, or too wet?

Do you know how long the plants have been there? When did the damage start? Has anyone been applying herbicides?

Thanks for the feedback. Our winter was extremely harsh.

The plants have been there for between 5 and 10 years. We haven't done anything to them and I just noticed the damage when I started doing some spring cleaning.

I think I'm going to take a soil sample and plant sample to our local farm office to have them tested. I really hope I don't have to pull them out and start over! The previous owner maintained our yard like it was his child and I don't want to disappoint his family!