How can I tell? We have had a drough here in South Texas, but occasionally I give it a dtink, so I don't think that's it. We have had some surprize freezes here, and one day I noticed all the leaves a brown and dead and dry,, I mean really toast! The thing looks kinda redish overall. I watered it again, so I guess only time will tell. It's little more than a bush, but has been standing out there for 8 winters. Last year it had jawbreaker size fruit, which froze, so I left them on there till they fell off.