It does look scorched, but it could be a root issue (fungus, etc) as well as the heat/sun. Has it it been dry as well as hot, like here? Have you pulled up or dug any of the dead ajuga? Sometimes you'll see blackened roots, or even telltale mycelia of a killer fungus. If the roots are just shrivelled, it may have been purely lack of water plus the heat. There have been several plants I normally don't water at all that I've had to give supplemental water to, and even then, they've suffered leaf burn (I'm looking at you, hypericum, althea et al).

drought

Cecily, cut it back, dig it up or leave it alone if i want it to come back please?

Leave it alone and cross your fingers that our weather pattern is changing... we have several chances for rain in the forecast this week.

dig under it.. and see what the root competition is.. if so.. drought..

ken

when all above the surface.. fails to tell you want happened.. all that is left is to look underground....

its 50% of the equation.. dont you think ...

ken

I killed Black Scallop with ease. I believe it was a crown/root rot, as has been described as a problem. Planted spring 2023, barely grew, lived through winter, had one measly flower this spring and then promptly died. Camellia, Taxus and Hakonechloa are thriving in the same location.

Updated photos. what are the little dots?

Certainly looks fungal, although the dots, which look like fungal fruiting bodies, appear to be on dead leaves and pine needles around the Ajuga. The Ajuga also appears to have had something taking bites out of it at some time.

Vettin, look up southern blight. The round balls sure look like the sclerota of this disease.

It does looki like the photos of southern blight. can i plant hardy hibiscus etc in this small garden bed after removing tge dead ajuga, or wait until next year?