Don't cut into dry brown wood though because they don't regrow from it.

If they have been neglected for that long a period, with no regular pruning as buyorsell88 indiciates should be done, it is unlikely you will be able to bring them back into an attractive, manageable form. They will be very leggy with a lot of bare wood at the base and with a tendency to splay outward, revealing that woody interior. You simply cannot cut back enough successfully to regain a rounded, densely foliaged form. It may be most effecient and provide the best look to simply remove them and start over. Heaths and heathers grow quickly, which is why it is important to be on top of the annual shearing. In no time new plants will have filled in.

They all have decent green middles, but a lot of dead brown stuff around the outside. They're all pretty small as well too (I think they are 1 gal containers). I just have a couple more to plant. Was going to wait till spring then cut off the brown parts -- will that work?

plant your weak lowes heather now then prune them in the early spring.
when trying to rehab a plant you will want to prune about 1/3rd of the total plant. normally you will prune just below last years flowers.
when planting plant deep so to encourage the plant to layer itself.
good luck, remember to protect them in the winter if you live in the north.

research has told me that i shouldn't really need to protect them in zone 7 (southern md), and that he complimentary dead foliage from lowe's will help. would you agree?

since figuring out that these are heathers, i've been turned on to all the fun varieties of heath/heather - i may eventually hit you up for some winter-bloomers. thanks!

sorry to get back to post so late. the last many winters have been weird (cold, dry, and no snow)last winter many people lost their heathers in the northeast. we now recommend covering Calluna vulgaris(heather) plants from Jan 1st-Mid March. the Erica's seem to be holding on strong through the winter. cover heathers with something that is light and will not mat down such as pine needles. you want some air flow. many people use straw (not hay)with good luck, change mid season if the straw starts to mat down. Do not prune this time of year only in the early spring. good luck and feel free to contact us directly to get your questions answered quickly.

David