Do you know what “cut” my bluestem at the root?
Will it grow back?
TLDR:
I noticed it was knocked over. Finding it odd, I went to investigate and it looks like it was cut or gnawed off right below where the root meets the soil.
It wasn’t cut, because it’s a fenced area and neither me nor my husband cut it.
It doesn’t look rotted either. I did see a small animal hole but not sure what creature would have done this.
by Sea____Witch
6 Comments
Voles
It’s a fairly aggressive self seeder. If it was mature last year you’ll probably have more coming up.
Voles look like mice with short tails. They‘re little burrow-dwelling vegans who live off plant roots.
… unlike moles, carnivorous (worms & beetle grubs) and blind, who never appear above ground.
Voles are the reason my biggest hostas started getting smaller and smaller every year >:(
Voles did this exact thing to my Joe Pye last year. I just stuck it in the dirt and covered it with fresh soil and it was fairly large by end of summer.
This winter I put a bunch of large flat rocks at the base to hopefully protect the roots a bit. Fingers crossed.
I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Put it back and plant more
For what it’s worth, voles are cute as hell and I’m happy to have them in my yard so far