I'm hoping that I can get some advice from rock gardeners on my "little plant" problem. At various times I have planted purple rock cress, Irish Moss and another low-growing plant with fine lacy leaves (lost the label - love alliteration?), all with the same result, that being they brown out. Sometimes it's from the center, sometimes all over. I've tried sun & part shade, regular soil w/compost and soil w/little pebbles added for better drainage. Not much difference in results, though the shaded plants are holding on a bit better. All these plants were labeled SUN or Sun/part shade, so what's up? It does get very humid & hot here, but the dying back started while it was still pretty mild, right after planting.

Possible issues: de-icing salt from nearby steps has gotten into the soil; I'm not planting these at the right depth; they don't really like New Jersey's Louisianna climate.

Your thoughts? Thanks. MsB