Sunburn on hosta 'guacamole' after neighbors trimmed tree.

6 years ago

Hello friends! I have a question. A few weeks ago, one of my neighbors (an institution, not a family, unfortunately) severely pruned their large shade tree that shaded part of my yard. Today when I went out do some work, I noticed that my hosta 'guacamole' (which formally benefitted from that tree's shade) is a little sunburned. Should I be concerned? I think it is still getting shade for most or all of the afternoon. Do you think I should move the hosta into deeper shade, or will it adjust by next year? It is otherwise large and healthy.

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Pieter zone 7/8 B.C.

6 years ago

These are 2 of my 'Guacamole's and they see sun from about 6AM to 1PM and they thrive. They're in pots. The shock of the sudden loss of shade/increase in sun exposure is indeed responsible for the sunburn you're experiencing but I'd be hesitant to go moving the plant. Yes, it will look a little worse for wear but next year when it comes back up again the leaves will get used to that extra sun as they unfurl. I have found mine with those 7 hours of direct sun to be happy and produce lots of flowers.

Pieter

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Comments (7)

beverlymnz4
6 years ago
I would give it a little extra water this year. Next year it should be fine.
fuzzytrees thanked beverlymnz4
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sandyslopes z6 n. UT
6 years ago
You're lucky it's a Guacamole because they can take more sun than some other hostas. It should acclimate to the sunnier conditions by next year and will lighten up in color more than you saw in the shade. ....That's what I notice about my Guacamole being in more sun this year.
fuzzytrees thanked sandyslopes z6 n. UT
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
they should recover.. by the next set of new leaves ..

even an injured leaf can do its work .. so do not go cutting them all off .. may as well get as much out of them as possible.. to feed the new leaves ... and once they get going.. MAYBE cut out a few of the ugliest ...

what might be a bigger deal .... is they might need more water ... hosta sweat ...give off water.. and when they give off more than they take in .. is when they burn ...

so.. being in more sun ... they might need more water ... as the soil might dry faster ...

and yes.. you can move them if you need the exercise .. when ever thru about sept ... there is a post about moving fully leafed out hosta.. that was recently bumped up.. look on the first or second page of posts ...

ken
fuzzytrees thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
frogged
6 years ago

This is mine ii full sun all afternoon
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
6 years ago
Mine also suffered some pretty serious sunburn this year. I am not sure where you are located which can also make a difference. I think mine experienced some initial late cold weather which weakened some of the leaves already, then bam, sunburn on those weak leaves.

I have my Guacamole in mostly shade. Our "full sun" is a lot more intense than other areas. We are a mile high, hot and very dry (low humidity) so things are very different here. In my climate, the Guac would never look good if given full sun all day.
Jon 6a SE MA
6 years ago
Some extra watering would probably help. 🚣🏼‍♀️