Hostas Have Vanished

I had hosta plants for many years, this year 4 out of 5 didn't come up. I dug around and don't even see a root ball. What could make them vanish?

There are several things that could make your hostas vanish. Voles, also known as meadow mice, often feed on the roots of hosta, daylilies, Siberian iris and other perennials over winter. The damaged root system may have been insufficient to support new growth and thus the vanishing act. Frost heaving, caused by the alternate freezing and thawing of the soil, can push plants right out of the soil. The exposed roots freeze, dry and the plant eventually dies. If gone unnoticed they may have dried up and decomposed before you noticed. Salt damage from salt-laden snow, runoff or vehicle spray can cause roots to dry and plants to die. A closer look at the location and review of the growing conditions and landscape maintenance may help you pin point the cause.