skip to main content

Fairy Ring

TheHostaCottage

14 years ago

I bought my house last fall and when I moved in the gardens were all covered in snow. This spring I found this hosta cirle coming up in the garden which has now turned into a massive fairy ring of what I believe is sum and substance (please let me know if my guess is wrong).

Just wanted to share some pics of it...I'm going to attempt to fix it in the fall.

Vanessa

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

just1morehosta
14 years ago
I,ve never seen any thing like that.
How will you "fix" it?
Very interesting.
cAROL
TheHostaCottage
Original Author
14 years ago
I'm going to split it...hopefully it's not too hard with the roots!
Related Discussions
Mulch Volcano 2008 'Fairy Ring' treatment
Q
Comments (2)
"Very interesting. Can't wait to see the results." Ms Jo Here is the results from last year although a bit disjointed because I didn't begin with a photo from the start then I missed a couple of photos when it started to emerge. Net result is you must take my word what happened. I plan to do this several times over several years to get sufficient data to support the theory. Here is a link that might be useful: Mulch Volcano
...See More
Fairy Ring 2008
Q
Comments (2)
Hi Butch, You took that pic today, and no SNOW??? You sure know how to make friends when everyone else is fighting a blizzard! Fairy ring- isn't that where the inside of the clump dies out and you're left with growth around the outside? Did you cut the inside of this clump out before mulching it with leaves? Or did you leave it as is and simply put a pile of leaves on top it? Will all those leaves encourage new growth in the center of the clump next Spring? (I noticed that you didn't grind up the leaves. Perhaps 12" loose leaves equals 3-4" ground up leaves?) In any case, I think we're all just staying huddled up indoors right now to keep warm, with the notion that someday in the distant future the sun will shine again and all those hostas will poke their heads up for a new dawning. Don
...See More
Fairy rings.
Q
Comments (22)
Do hosta need to be divided; it is a matter of personal taste and siting. In the wrong spot the plants will overgrow and die off in the center/die off completely - part of the growth cycle relative to the site. In a great spot the plants remain coherent and behave for a long time, like azaleas and rhodos. Need little attention. The oldest undivided hosta clump I have seen in all my travels was +70 years back int eh 1980's, according to the park curator in Sweden who had planting records; a ventricosa clump, which makes sense. Probably 4-5 ft across and full height, tucked in a garden spot that had limited sun, growing perfectly. No fairy ring. Have a photo somewhere in my files...... Growing up in SE Michigan in the 1960's wesaw some 50 year old plantaginea with no fairy rings growing in hard clay. Know their age as we were given those plants by the home owners whose grandparents had planted them and they recalled their age from their childhood visits with their grandparents. I had to dig the old clumps out and divide them as they wanted to get rid of them and we needed divisions for sale. Dividing is also quite fun for giving plant stock away; personal ownership has always been the great way to share ( "I grew this hosta and divided it - care to have some?")
...See More
Fairy Ring prior to renovation
Q
Comments (2)
The fungal mycelium you've found is actually good for your soil. It helps carry nutrients to your plants. I'd leave it and just pull up any odd mushrooms that come up. Mushrooms aren't toxic to plants, they are just unsightly to some people.
...See More
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years ago
not S&S ....

why wait..

dig out the center.. leave them there.. if you wish.. back fill with fresh soil ...

move any you want to move

ken
kisher
14 years ago
Have almost the same thing. Planted hosta 15+ years ago behind a rock. Has spread over the years like your pic. Then fills in nicely.
Looks like my Plantaginia.... check out flowers in late summer... why bother replanting?
critter-ridder
14 years ago
One vote for Royal Standard.

Queenie
newhostaaddict
14 years ago
i second the Royal Standard vote...

mine do that here also...jill
Pieter zone 7/8 B.C.
14 years ago
Butch Ragland did a few postings on the subject last year. He recommends filling the center of the ring with a 'Mulch Volcano' and shows examples of the successes he's had with it. Are the flowers on your plant fragrant, Vanessa?

Here are some of the threads on the subject:
#1
#2
#3
thisismelissa
14 years ago
Almost looks like the previous owners might have had a large pot or whiskey barrel sitting there.
botanybabe
14 years ago
The mulch volcano works very well. I tried it with my Blue Mammoth and it worked like a charm. I recommend it.

Lainey
Julie
14 years ago
I believe the hosta to be plantagenia- It is more yellow than the grass- which my 'Royal Standard' seems to be a closer match of green while plantagenia stays a more chartreuse shade of grass green.
I have seen this happen with a couple of my older plantagenia through the years. One I left to see just what would happen. It steadily and rapidly declined in about 4 years till I had 3 little tiny single eyed plants left. I moved those 3 from their home- actually less than a foot away last year- but those single eyes although still VERY small for plantagenia have become larger already this year.
This leads me to believe that if left to sit complacently in decline- decline it will into oblivion.
I did notice this behavior with a "Royal Standard' which I use to cover a drain with its large diameter and my 'Guacamole' this spring. I will lift and divide the Royal Standard this fall- which I think will kick in the survival instinct and spur renewed growth- and I did not wait with Guac- it is so nice and large- I lifted half and divided and shared some this spring- and will see if that was enough to shock it into growth. If I do not see renewed vigor in next years growth- I will split up the other half and replant it after amending the soil a bit.
This happened with a 'Striptease' in a neighbors bed- he waited 2 years after noticing the ring to do lift and divide this spring- He was left with very little from his large showy hosta, but there was enough to share a bit with me- as I had lost my rather LARGE showy 'Striptease' to HVX last year.
To me, the fairy rings are a great reminder that even hosta need a little "stimulation" and "action" every once in a while- and supply the perfect reason to share your lovelies.
dbowemd
14 years ago
It's definitely Plantaginea.
In mid August you will see the large very fragrant flowers.
Dave
TheHostaCottage
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks everyone!!

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Gardening Fun: Plant a Fairy Garden

By Alison Hodgson

It’s hard not to be captivated by the charm of a miniature garden in a pot. Here’s how to make one of your own

HOUZZ TOURS Visit a Victorian Fairy-Tale Retreat in the Woods

This renovated cabin is an ultra-feminine getaway

FUN HOUZZ We Can Dream: Hobbit Houses to Rule Them All

Escape the real world and explore your Middle-earth fantasies

HOUZZ TOURS 13 Character-Filled Homes Between 1,000 and 1,500 Square Feet

By Mitchell Parker

See how homeowners have channeled their creativity into homes that are bright, inviting and one of a kind

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Landscape Tour: Two Acres of Rural Hillside in Maine

By Becky Harris

An orchard of crab apples, a grove of sugar maples, even a hayfield ... pastoral landscape beauty doesn't get more idyllic than this

FUN HOUZZ 4 Hobbit Houses Bring Charm to the Landscape

These quirky outposts look like they sprung up from fantasyland grass — or a movie set. Take a peek inside

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 10 Fun Features to Bring Your Landscape to Life

By Laura Gaskill

Give gnomes a home, create a magical portal or add another unexpected element to turn your garden into a destination

FUN HOUZZ There's a Mouse in the House

By Becky Harris

No need for 'eek' and capture schemes. These mouse toys, decals and artistic renderings have all the trappings of cute

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Budget Decorator: 10 Ways to Deck Out Your Patio

By Laura Gaskill

Hang a vintage sign here and some inexpensive curtains there, for a patio or deck that looks polished and pulled together

HOUSEKEEPING The Best Way to Get Your Windows Spotlessly Clean

By Bonnie McCarthy

Learn the pros’ tips and tricks for cleaning windows and getting them streak-free

Sponsored

Shylee Grossman Interiors

Industry Leading Interior Designers & Decorators in Franklin County

More Discussions

HVX, yes? Confirmation, please :)

5

Anyone else having trouble with Rawsons lists?

5

A serious pot problem

12

Started over on hosta

5

What are you doing Monday? 51324

4