I'm not sure they are the same shrub. The first appears to be burning bush, Euonymus alatus, and it is just showing some signs of drought stress. The second does not have the same appearance or twig structure (even without any visible foliage) so would guess it is something different that is even less drought tolerant.

The first can be saved with some decent periodic soakings. The second is likely too far gone to be recoverable. Fertilizing is contraindicated at this juncture and you probably don't even need to apply any in spring......established landscape plants seldom require routine fertilization unless a nutrient deficiency has been determined.

lol gal ... lets be honest.. you can barely kill a burning bush .. lol

it needs nothing ... fall will be better.. and its ugly leaves will fall off for winter..

and you may never see the problem again ...

but of course.. putting a hose on trickle for a couple hours.. giving a deep drink.. wouldnt hurt ... but it isnt going to make those leaves look better ...

ken

ken....you'd be surprised :-) bb's can kick off here rather routinely in our very dry summers if never given water. But I agree the leaf discoloration now will only intensify, water or not, and it will likely not develop the bright red it is known for and will probably drop early.

With the high volume of rain we've gotten recently I think the watering is done for me... The plant that is on the left of my driveway (the third and fourth picture) is indeed a burning bush. The bushes tips have are a light brown and not completely dead as far as I can tell. Is there ANYTHING I can do except wait until next year and see if leaves sprout? By the way, I live in SE Wisconsin and I have other established bushes that have taken a BEATING.

Too late for any releafing this season.

It's been a difficult year for gardeners across a wide swath of the country so don't feel like the lone ranger :-)