The boxwoods do not look good and we would like to have more information. Let us know how you care for the plants. Have there been any disturbances to the soil, any fertilizers or herbicides used? What are the site conditions? etc. 

Also, your photos are out of focus. We would like to see clear photos of the plants.  This includes the stems and any lesions on the foliage of the old and new boxwoods so we can see what you are dealing with. 

In general, boxwoods can be susceptible to several disease and insect issues as well as abiotic issues like poor planting techniques, poor drainage, etc. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/boxwood-growing-and-diagnosing-common-problems

We do not recommend bringing in new boxwoods due to boxwood blight, a disease that causes defoliation and stem cankers. Your cultivar is highly susceptible to this disease. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/boxwood-blight

Marian

Thanks so much for the quick response.  I’ve attached some “close-ups” of the plants.  Hopefully these are better, as I sent higher resolution images.

With respect to your questions:

• We’re no experts, but there don’t seem to be any site issues we’re aware of.  There are four boxwoods on the north side of the screened porch (see picture) and two more on the east side.  Drainage seems to be fine.  All are now exhibiting these symptoms.
• There has been no soil disturbance (other than planting two new replacement boxwoods on the north side recently)
• The old plants have been fertilized each fall since original planting
• No herbicides have been used in the beds, although the adjacent lawn is treated by a lawn care company
• The new plants were planted to replace old ones that had turned very brown.  Our assumption was that a neighborhood cat we had seen wandering nearby from time to time may have been urinating on/near a couple of the plants.  At that point, only two of the four north facing plants were at issue.  The other two north plants and both the east plants appeared to be very healthy.
• Also thinking there might be something going on with deer given the brown leaves (e.g. deer urinating on/near the plants), we recently sprayed a “natural” deer repellent (garlic, pepper, cinnamon, clove, and lemongrass oils).  Since the plants were already having problems, we’re assuming this is not a factor.

Thank  you for the new photos and information. Though boxwood plants naturally smell like cat urine, either deer nor cats are involved with your problem unfortunately.

Upon closer inspection it is evident that the shrubs have the invasive and deadly disease called Boxwood Blight.

Here again is our information on it: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/boxwood-blight

It is recommended that you remove the young boxwoods, bag them in black plastic and dispose of them. The older shrubs are likely to have been infected as well and can be removed, though they can sometimes grow new growth and limp along for a while.

We would not recommend replanting boxwood.

Similar possible replacements to explore, depending on site conditions (sun etc.), include native Inkberry holly 'Gem Box' and Clethra 'Hummingbird'.

Christine