Lawn fungus

[OddityOddityOdd]

I thought there were leaves on the lawn but it's actually fungus/toadstools. Does anyone know what they are and how to get rid of them ? I suspect it may be a bigger problem as I've lost several shrubs that used to be planted at that end of the garden, including this year, a wygelia and a Desdemona rose. Any ideas ?

It is pretty much impossible to get rid of mushrooms/toadstools in lawns. The fungi you see are only the fruiting bodies, and most of the organism is the mycelium in the soil. Other than dig the entire area up to a fair depth and completely replace the soil, you have to live with them.

The only thing you can do is look at why the fungus is there in the first place, and that is probably because of a large quantity of decaying plant material in the soil which the fungus is feeding on.

My guess would be that there are other issues at play which caused the death of the shrubs you mention - quite possibly that really hot summer we had a couple of years ago, followed by a severely cold winter which weakened them, and they have finally kicked the bucket this year. I've unexpectedly lost some random shrubs this year too, for no apparent reason.

I am no expert, but it might be orange peel fungus.

If you have the patience, use a pipette or dropper to put a few drops of dish soap (not antibacterial) directly on each fungus/mushroom - they'll shrivel up within 24 hours and it won't effect the grass if you are careful not to spill. It won't eradicate them entirely but can prevent them spreading and taking over the lawn.

Also poke some deep holes in the lawn around the fungus to the let the air in to dry it out a bit.

I'd just don some rubber gloves, go out there and pick the things before they mature and spread their spores. Sling them in the ordinary rubbish bin though, not garden waste or compost bin.

I am no expert, but it might be orange peel fungus. no, it’s not orange peel fungus. Possibly a Clytocybe species. Fungi tend to be specific about what they live on, so a grassland fungus is unlikely to be behind your shrub deaths.

The fruit bodies will die off in a few days. Scoop them off as @Yamadori says if they really offend you.

Is it just me who thinks they look quite pretty?

No, I do too, though not as stunning as some. New to me this year was Petticoat Mottlegill - a drab brown bell-shaped toadstool but with the little white points, like a lace trimmed petticoat, peeking out all around the edge.