I planted castor beans where this hellerborus was. This was a hellerborus. I'm sure they will get the other two as well. ( photo / image / picture from Donna S's Garden )
Donna, did they up root it , chew off the roots or just tunnel under it? In any case cut back all the foliage and water it in. Maybe even plant it in a "chickenwire" basket ( or maybe even put another "basket over it once it starts coming up) so they can't do it again. (Just cut a circle as best you can and bend it into a basket and place it in the hole first)
Carolyn, They chewed the roots off. I've got it in a pot to see if I can revive it. If it comes back I'll try the chicken wire.
Cut off the leaves, though. If it has no roots the leaves won't revive. If it has enough energy to make roots it will remake new leaves later.
There are no leaves left, just a little bit of root. I thought it needed water so I turned the hose on and all the leaves fell off. The moles here get quite big. Up to 10 inches long. So I'm baiting this one.
10 inches long??? I have never heard of voles getting that big! Is there holes underneath the plant? I've been setting traps in my garden by the hole and putting an upside down lasagna tray over with a brick on top. So far I have caught 2.
A 10" vole? I don't think they get that big. Are you maybe having a rat problem and not a vole problem? BUT check Lowe' clearance rack for a new helleboros...I found them here tonight for 5.00 a pop. BEAUTIFUL plants. I bought 12 of them. there were two different varieties, but i think they are both pink.
"Moles are not rodents as some believe, but belong to a group of mammals called insectivores. Moles have a high metabolic rate and must consume large amounts of foods – sometimes eating up to 2/3 or more of their body weight each day." More here: http://rid-a-mole.com/molefacts.html
Good luck Donna. We have them here, too. I thought Castor Bean plants were poisonous? I guess not to moles,eh?!
Bunkie, Yes they are poisonous if eaten. Castor bean plants keep moles away. I plant them around my veggie gardens. They are not toxic to the veggies. And I make mole juice that I pour into their tunnels. I have an old blender that I mix this in. I double the recipe and keep it on hand all summer. Usually after a hard rain I have to treat again. Castor-oil mole repellant Mix in blender 1/4 cup unrefined castor oil (walmarts) 2 TBS. dish soap 6 TBS. water 2 TBS. cayenne pepper ( $$$ store) And if you have castor bean seeds grind in 6-8 Dilute 2 TBS. in 1 gallon of water. With a watering can or sprayer apply to surface tunnels. I open tunnels and pour it in. Soak entire area. Takes about 3 days in a row of treating but they do leave or at least move somewhere else.
