Hi Georgiagirl,
I'm so sorry for what you're having to go through. 2 1/2 years ago, our house was struck by lightening that bounced off a tulip poplar, ran underground along the gas line, up the outside of the chimney and into our house, setting it on fire. Needless to say, we had major damage, but survived. I had forgotten this, but we had some juniper growing in a bed along that same area and with the strike, some of it died. However, I have planted different annuals and perennials in that bed since then and they have done well. A month before the lightening strike, I never thought I'd say this, but I'm just glad that someone stole our Koi from the pond that is in that same area...if not, they probably would have fried.

Your strike must have been a biggie...I'm glad there wasn't a fire, and I hope you find the answers for which you are looking!

Beverly

Nope, nothing wrong with the soil - it's just that the massive electrical impulse in that bolt of lightning caused the water in those plants to boil - instantly - killing them. You'll just have to replace the plants.

A few years ago, during a severe electrial storm, I saw a strike hit 2 pines on the far side of a neighboring property. The entire atmosphere turned a rosy pink for several seconds and the immediate thunder was deafening, but it wasn't until a few minutes later, when another neighbor called, that I found that a large White Oak in my front yard was simultaneously struck. The current went up both sides of the tree, but one side was more severly damaged, as it was near the county water line( a near perfect electrical ground).
Only a few perennials on one side of the tree (the side with the least damage) were immediately affected.
About 2-3 years after the strike, what remained of the boiled roots began to decay and the fungus/bacteria that was consuming them, attacked many other perennials and losses were tremendous. It was very depressing to watch years of work being eradicated by an uncontrollable natural force. A plant pathologist I consulted, advised that was no known fungicide or treatment that would help. He also advised against planting in the affected area for several years, until the fungus/bacteria ran it's course and became dormant again.
The White Oak lived, but was under stress for a few years afterward. It had never produced many acorns up to that time, but the year following the strike, it produced hundred of thousands. I raked and hauled away several garbage can's full, pulled them from flower beds and mowed them in the lawn for years afterward.
Rb

I am so sorry Bevinga to hear of your terrible ordeal. We lost several electric appliances in the house, but no fires occurred. Razorback, I will watch the shrubs in the bed in that corner of the yard. I would hate to lose the old tea olive and althea that my mother planted for me. Our square foot vegetable gardens will perhaps be fine, as we replace the soil mixture in those each fall.