I'm not an experienced gardener and not even 100% sure what the plant is (although i think it's a euonymus) and it hasnt really grown this spring at all and has developed lots of holes in the leaves and a lot are going brown and dying. It is quite established plant and has been in for a while. Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Check for insects first because euonymus is known for scale infestation. If you don't see insects, check for disease. These articles should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/euonymus/euonymus-scale-treatment.htm
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/euonymus-diseases-insect-pests/
Planted five silver king euonymus shrubs last October. The shrubs have full sun, and are watered regularly. I noticed many leaves dropping off the shrubs this Spring. We sprayed with Sevin twice in last 4 weeks, and provided them with some plant food. Plants have stayed about the same. They have many leaves on the ground, and some small buds (cream in color, although the photos show them in yellow). Any thoughts on why this is occurring? We live in Northeast Georgia, Zone 8.
Those bright growths will be flowers! Likely, stress has brought them out in numbers.
I would check the pH and nutrient content of your soil before adding anything. These articles will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm
Stress from insect pests will be most common. Scale will be the usual culprit. There are many types, but all will adhere to your plant. This makes them difficult to kill.
These articles will help you to deal with scale:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/control-plant-scale.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/euonymus/euonymus-scale-treatment.htm
s oil around the trunk/stems or do I have to lift them up and replant? The height of the soil will raise about 1ft. Option is to put a collar around the plants??
It is best not to add soil around the plants as it can cause stem rot. It would be best to lift and replant. A collar would just collect moisture near the stems.
Can you tell me what the disease or insect is causing the problem I have with the shrub seen in the attached picture?
I cannot make out details of the photos. It looks like scale, though. These articles will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/control-plant-scale.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/golden-euonymus/golden-euonymus-care.htm
I have noticed a white powdery bloom on this shrub. It's currently full of small bees during the day, they seem to like the tiny green flowers. I have pruned most of the affected shoots and burned them.
It looks like powdery mildew. It is important to pick up any leaf litter and discard to help prevent it returning next year. Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/powdery-mildew-homemade-and-organic-remedies.htm
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/powdery-mildew/
My Japanese spindle tree some of its leaves have dark brown edges, approximately 5ft tall in my garden for 2 years, other than what I've mentioned it seems very healthy, thanks for any advice.
It could be an improper watering problem or a fungal issue. These articles should help:
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/euonymus-diseases-insect-pests/
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/what-causes-brown-edges-on-leaves-of-plant.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/euonymus/growing-a-spindle-bush.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/euonymus
My elevation is 7000 ft. So winter can stay around longer, not uncommon to have snow in late May.
Now, would be a good time, actually!
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/euonymus/pruning-evergreen-euonymus.htm