Some perennials ‘grow’ ice ribbons
Culprit behind a bare patch may be sunflower seed shells
Curvaceous “ice ribbons” get their long delicate striations, or grain, because they push out through a plant’s vascular system, which is like bundles of tiny straws. When weather conditions are just right, water in the root system moves or is drawn upward, breaking through cell walls that normally confine it and freezing as it hits frigid air. A handful of herbaceous perennials tend to “grow” ice ribbons. Sometimes ribbons clearly grow up near their dead stems; other times stems aren’t visible. When the formation occurs high on a stem, it has the more apt name “ice flower.”
That’s a lot of squirrels. Judging by the squirrel numbers, we suspect a great deal of sunflower seed is in use. The shells, or hulls, of sunflowers have toxic chemicals with allelopathic properties, i.e. they hinder or kill other plants. The chemicals can build up in the soil and take a few months or years to break down. Anecdotal lists online give plants that have withstood sunflower seed toxins. However, constant squirrel scrabbling and bird pecking also disrupt grass growth and make new plantings problematic. Large shrubs have a better chance of surviving. An oval or other identifiable shape of pavers or bricks outlining the area will look tidy and purposeful. Fill with 1 to 2 inches of mulch or more pavers to create a pleasing hardscape. Some people switch to shelled sunflower seed to avoid this problem.