Drooping Hellebore

[Pink Fingers]

I have just two plants in the garden.  Last year they weren't up to much, but this year they have been wonderful - until a couple of weeks ago.

One of them seems to have just given up on life - it's collapsed in a heap.  There are no signs of pest or disease (at least it looks the same as the other) and the growing conditions are exactly the same.  Any suggestions please?

[Pink Fingers]

[Robert_Brenchley]

That sounds most unusual! Have you lifted it to look at the roots? The only time mine have ever suffered was in the very hot summer a couple of years ago.

[saddad]

If they were in pots I'd suggest vine weevil... but not in the open ground... lots of ants around??  :-\

[Pink Fingers]

They are both in open ground, and I haven't noticed an invasion of ants. 

I'll dig it up at the weekend for a quick autopsy - what should I be looking for when I check the roots?

[saddad]

If it keeled over quickly the absence of roots will probably be the main evidence. If ants a lot of very fine soil and air spaces. If Vine weevil white maggots with a brown head... just spread them on a lawn the birds love them...  ;D

[ceres]

Before you dig them up, try watering them.  Mine have been doing the same for the last week or so and it appears to be that they are dry.  I don't know if it might be these very drying winds we've been having.

[Robert_Brenchley]

They'll have started growing, and an active, rather than dormant, plant uses a lot more water.

[Pink Fingers]

Thanks for the tips  :)

I'll give it a good watering and then dig it up at the weekend -  watch this space!

[Pink Fingers]

Feeling more than a little silly now!!!!   :-[

As suggested (thank you Ceres) I gave it a good soaking and it's now perked up and looking much happier.  It never occured to me that water was the problem - everything else in the area looked fine.

I'll know next time.

Pink Fingers x (and face)

[ceres]

Feeling more than a little silly now!!!!   :-[
Pink Fingers x (and face)

Don't!  At this time of year, watering is hardly the first thing you'd think of.  I was puzzled too and just thought there was nothing to lose by trying a bit of water.  Glad they've perked up.