Last year I planted 3 Australian Sarsparilla (Hardenbergia violacea) . About a month ago one of them start to get sick, as if it was not getting enough water. I checked the soil and it is moist. All 3 vines are on the same drip system, the other 2 are still healthy.

I did find what appears to be a gopher or mole tunnel near the base. I suspect a critter ate it's root system.

If I scratch off the bark on a main stem the plant appears to be alive underneath.

So what are my options? Do you think this will come back and if so should I do anything special or just let nature run it's course? Right now it is unsightly and the leaves are almost completely dry and lost all color.

Update: Took a core sample of soil. The soil was saturated in water and within 7 inches or so it's practically clay. I think the plant is being over watered and is unable to drain. I increased the watering about 3 months ago (I use a drip system), which most of the garden has benefited from. But this particular spot is in between two slabs of cement and at the end of the fence so perhaps it's harder for it to drain.

The other vines a few feet away are healthy and their soil is not saturated.

So I will scale back the watering and perhaps close off this particular drip for awhile so it can drain out. I'm also trimming off some of the dead leaves. We'll see how it goes.

If anyone has other suggestions or insights please let me know.

Regards,