From here they could be incredibly dark-brownish green, at least in my fancy - if they're growing, they're alive. Still, I've never grown one of these, but I have a friend who does....

Mine is in a greenhouse that is heated, and I still have green leaves. It may be going dormant. It seems so low in the soil, mine has a caudex above the soil line. Are you pushing it too much this time of the year. I thought was also dead this year, and it started to leaf out again in the winter. So don't give up on the plant, perhaps it just needs a rest.

Norma,

Now is the time that it grows, IIRC. Summer is their dormancy period, ain't it so?

The reason it's buried is because it's a very young plant and I've read that the caudex grows faster when buried for the first few years. Also, it's my understanding that this is a winter grower and now is the time it should be growing, so that's why I'm watering and fertilizing. I'm guessing (hoping) the leaves will green up and continue growing. I was just wondering if anyone else has seen this before, or knows whether it means something.

I have a very young one as well. I'm not at all experienced with it and there isn't much info out there. The leaves on mine are green though. I'm not sure if the color of yours means trouble but it's a good sign that it's growing! At least that's what I would assume!

~Erin~

That's young leaves that will green up as they grow out.