What might cause a hosta to look like this?

[FLBuchholz]

Photo is a hosta emerging in central Michigan. Looks very odd, with the vertical crown and those brown "spikes" radiating from it. I think the variety is Guacamole. The soil is a little washed out from around the plant from dripping from roof overhead, but I've not seen this before. Any ideas what might cause this?

Fred B. in Midland

[Mark Raw]

my Guaca has done that this year, seems to be opening fine now though

[Chris_W]

Hi,

Those brown spikes are the remnants of some leaves from last year. Sort of like the strands on a stalk of celery. It looks odd, but I think the soil just washed away and you are seeing a crown that may have been quite a bit deeper at one time. I'd build up around it so those new eyes will develop under the ground and I think it will develop normally later.

Hope that helps.

Chris

[thy]

Chris is right

You may dig it up and then you can cut it vertical between the eyes and get 2 plants

Pia