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redhead1243 · Jun 5, 2008, 08:44 AM

I have several hostas under some old lilac trees. I planted them about 4 years ago, and every year they came back larger and healthy. This year they're puny! Two of them never came back at all. We had a freeze last year, but they seemed to weather that fine. Any idea what the problem might be? Could something have eaten the bulbs?

tickle · Jun 5, 2008, 08:49 AM

My hostas were late getting going because of the unusually cold weather (we are in southeast Ontario) occurring at a time when it should have been spring. You do know, obviously because you have them, that they disappear entirely during the winter and you can't even tell where they have been unless you don't cut off the flower stocks and they are sticking up throughout winter. I would probably say, they could have gotten too damp from the inclement weather, although you don't say what part of the country you are in, so can't say for certain really. They are the hardiest of the perrennials I must say and mine always come back stronger and bigger but do not go through a drought very well.

redhead1243 · Jun 5, 2008, 08:57 AM

I live in Columbus Ohio. This winter, I don't think, was particularly hard here. The other thing is that I have hostas in other part s of my yard and they've come back just fine. It's only the ones under the lilac trees. That's what's so puzzling.

twinkiedooter · Jun 6, 2008, 12:24 PM

Some of my hostas do not like shade and refuse to grow. There is a part of my yard that I thought would be perfect for them... under a tree. Well, no matter how many I plant in that location they just don't grow and they will actually disappear as well! I live in Ohio and this winter was a pretty cold and rainy one and my hostas came back great. I gave up trying to plant anything in that "dead" spot anymore. I planted Snow on the Mountain and that seemed to work out fine for me in that area. That stuff grows like crazy and you have to contain it. Shade or sun - it likes both. Glad I discovered that stuff as I have the north side of my house that sort of gets some sun and that stuff grows like crazy there.