Pine needles in the hosta bed

15 years ago

i know Hosta seem to do well under pine trees, My neighbors huge pine is starting to drop an extensive amount of needles the last two falls, In the past I have been just throwing them along the fence for mulch. I have got to wondering though, my Lilac shrubs that make a good deal of my shade for my Hosta, might not like the pine needles.. Anyone know if I am hurting my shade plants (lilac shrubs), and eventually my Hosta will also suffer if the shrubs have problems? I have to admit the way my shrubs grow I can't even imagine something killing them.

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Comments (8)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
they pay money for them on the east coast ... baled like straw ...

just dont tell your neighbor ... or they might start charging you

if you find something that will kill a lilac.. let us know ...

ken
Jon 6a SE MA
15 years ago
Lilacs like a slightly alkaline soil. Pine needles don't add much acidity....but; I would,and do,spread some pelletized lime under the needles to ensure the lilacs stay happy.
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tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
15 years ago
The acidity of pine needles might have a slim chance of affecting sensitive annuals, but a lilac would never know they were there. My lilac has had a mulch of pine needles for the 25 years I've been here and who know how long before that, but I do have a pH in the mid 7s. I'd use it and be glad for it.

tj
tomahawkclaim
15 years ago
The additional advantage of pine needle mulch for hosta is that tender little slugs don't like crawling over those sharp needles. Nance
leafwatcher
Original Author
15 years ago
The guy behind me with the big pine tree, is just some young bachelor. He does no yard work,he has no curtains..I am not sure he is ever even home? Anyhow the retired gentleman next to him takes care of the ground behind the garage, so that he doesn't have to look at the mess ...that is where the needles fall heaviest. Anyhow.... the retired neighbor picked up some of the needles and got rid of them somewhere. And I got the rest for mulch along my fence by the Lilacs and Hosta... and I got a bunch of them ! looks pretty good, its a slugs worst nightmare ! Well, next to my boot ! ahhahaha
shade_tolerant
15 years ago
I have five white eastern pines and four Norway spruces that drop a ton of needles in the fall and lesser amounts the rest of the year. I think it depends on your soil and how much moisture it holds on whether pine needles will deter slugs. My soil is a very wet clay and the slugs could care less if pine needles are underfoot.
Yesterday I was checking some potted hostas I have, the tops of the pots were covered with the needles. I was thinking of leaving the needles for a winter covering but on second thought decided to remove it. Glad I did! Totally surprised to find several large slugs hiding underneath the needles in many of the pots.
in ny zone5
15 years ago
Here is another precaution. When you leave large amounts of leaves and/or pine needles around your hostas you will never see not only the slugs, but all the rodent runs and holes. Probably best is to pile any mulches around any plants only after the ground is frozen, so you can pay attention to all varmint. Otherwise they could have parties for a month under nice thick cover, and you will never know.
Bernd
hostaLes
15 years ago
Hey Bernd, I totally see your point. I also respect kens statement that under certain conditions slugs are the lessor of the evils. I also refer to Steve in Mass. posting regarding controlling voles.