I have three holly bushes that were there when I bought the house 13 years
ago. Now that I think about it, they haven't grown much in all that time;
hmm.

Last year they started looking sickly. I cut off all the dead stuff and
hoped for the best. Two seem to be recovering, but one died. When I pulled
it out today it had no roots; it pulled out with no resistance! The bush
is about 2' high, but the roots are a ball about the size of a softball.
That can't be right.

So, any idea what is afflicting my hollys? I have a few azaleas and
rhododendrons in the area, and they are not exactly prospering. Maybe the
soil is wrong? It is a moderately sunny area.
What to do?