Prune out all the dead wood and fertilize.

kurchian, you don't want something that looks so unattractive at the front of the house, do you? (I didn't think so!)

I'm afraid that you would have to prune the plant all the way down to very short stubs and allow it to rejuvenate from the ground up. Box doesn't recover rapidly like other shrubs and fertilization is not the solution.

Besides, boxwood is highly susceptible to a number of diseases that can disfigure or kill them.

This is a no-brainer, in my opinion......OUT with them! Make room for something different....don't replace with more boxwood.

we get to vote .... GET RID OF THEM ...

as noted.. one of the most problem prone shrubs .. imo ..

remove.. and replant with ANYTHING else ...

again.. as noted.. this is the front of your castle.. not really a place for a multi year rejuvenation project ..

ken

Time to break out the shovel!

OK!

It's pretty clear what I should do- trash the boxwoods! LOL

So. Now the fun begins - deciding what to replace the boxwoods with.

I'm considering somewhat of an unusual replacement - dwarf butterfly bushes. There is a 'Blue Chip' variety that is under 24" high. It claims to flower from mid summer to mid fall. I'm hesitating because it appears to be an unusual choice for a foundation planting. Would appreciate comments.

if I chicken out at the nursery I may go with a more convential choice - one of the emerald and gold Euonymous.

I wish I had seen Logan's suggestion before I went out today. I ended up removing the boxwoods and replacing them with White Drift Roses. I've been curious about how this series and decided to plant 4 of them along my walkway. I also removed the Liriope that had begin invading the space.

See the before an after pictures below. I will post again one they're in bloom.

It's ok. Drift roses are nice too, they just don't have any winter interest.

I need to find a place for some Golden Rubies! Thanks Logan!

http://www.monrovia.com/gardening-videos/foundation-plants/

in my snow load MI ... i would not have planted roses.. near a walkway i would have to shovel ... which makes me wonder if that had something to do with the problems the prior plants had ...

that said.. it seems like there is enough lawn on the other side ... if snow is an issue ...

do watch use of ice melters ..

ken

Don't feel bad, what Logan told you to get is banned in Massachusetts anyway I'm pretty sure...because I've been wanting one for a long time..but found out they're banned when I tried to order one

"but found out they're banned when I tried to order one"

Communism!

They're really invasive here...unfortunately :/ I wanted the pink/purple one..and another one that gets really amazing in the fall..but like I said, they're banned here ...sucks

I wonder if 'Golden Ruby' is sterile? It isn't something I took into consideration when buying.