Dry and crispy = dead. These shrubs are not normally dead-headed, the flowers instead being left to produce berries. What are you seeing that is different about the one specimen?

Sorry to hear that, Paul. Well, the good news is that all the big box stores will be stocking cheap dahlias again, and you can try out some new ones! General note to readers: So many folks get disillusioned with dahlia because sometimes overwintering them can be challenging... very few folks try to overwinter pansies and petunias in the colder regions, and the price point can be close to dahlias when all is said and done. There is NOTHING WRONG with choosing to treat dahlias like annuals! Sure, try to overwinter them inside, but don't beat yourself up over it if they fail. Just consider it a bonus if they do well! Search in Houzz for 'dahlia storage," or check out this FAQ link for different storage methods that might work for you in the fall through winter... https://cubits.org/Dahlias/faqs/view/postseasonquestions/ Hope this helps future readers! -CiCi

Here's what I found. It's really wet because I just hosed it off. The part at 4:00 is mushy, but that's the only mushy part to it. So I snapped it off. It broke in what seemed like a natural place. Here it is turned upside-down. This part was facing down into the ground. I don't know that much about roots, but they seem firm, not mushy. Something I think is interesting is the piece on the bottom of this pic was in the ground lower and off to the side, still attached. It's as if the hosta put more growth up higher and made roots closer to the surface because that's where the water was. It was getting some water, but not the deep watering it had before. .....I'm guessing, so does that sound logical? Here's kind of a side view of how it was in the ground So I still don't know if it's dead or alive. I potted it up deeper in the pot with only a little bit showing. I was afraid to cut the top with a knife like ademink said, but I can still do that. I also didn't use any bleach on it, should I? Or is it.... Yikes..... A ZOMBIE hosta? Poor thing. :-(

It looks generally healthy, but by the shape/drape, especially of the lower leave, I think it could use some water. Sometimes my aloe stems will contort like that when they're crammed up against a window or another potted plant. lol! When it gets a mess I just cut them and restart them to be straight again.