[MAIPC] groundcover suggestions

Wed Mar 21 21:04:32 PDT 2018

HI Toni,

I have concerns about this Ernst "Right-of-Way Native Woods Mix w/Annual 
Ryegrass" because it contains some potentially invasive species and 
cultivars. Also, it includes aggressive plants that I don't consider a 
temporary fix for keeping out weeds. Instead, depending on how much sun 
your shady site gets, they might crowd out less aggressive species. Here 
are comments on some of the species in this Ernst mix:

  * Lolium multiflorum syn. Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum (annual
    ryegrass) is a non-native profuse seeder considered invasive by West
    Virginia. According to CABI: "L. multiflorum is a highly competitive
    and rapidly growing plant, capable of producing large quantities of
    seed. It is genetically diverse and displays a high degree of
    phenotypic plasticity and these characteristics mean that is highly
    adaptable. It can invade natural grassland and other plant
    communities that are subject to frequent disturbance." I really
    don't know why it is still included in commercial mixes.
  * Although the straight species of Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) is
    native, it is a strong competitor and not suitable as a temporary
    fill-in to prevent weeds. Moreover, the Ernst mix contains the
    cultivar 'Shawnee'. There are two potential issues with using a
    switchgrass cultivar:
    -  I don't know the characteristics of 'Shawnee', but many P.
    virgatum cultivars are bred to be more aggressive for conditions
    such as roadsides where quick establishment and coverage are
    desirable. That said, a mitigating factor to switchgrass'
    aggressiveness might be the shadiness of your site.
    -  Cultivars have little genetic diversity, and are at risk for
    damaging native populations through cross-pollination.
  * Panicum clandestinum, 'Tioga' (deertongue) is also a cultivar, so
    has the potential to damage wild populations. Besides, the USDA
    describes 'Tioga' as having strong rhizomes and abundant seed.
  * Festuca rubra (creeping red fescue) is probably a combination of
    native and introduced in Maryland, and is sometimes used in lawns.
    Would you want a rhizometous grass mixed in with your plantings?
  * Chamaecrista fasciculata (partridge pea) is an attractive native
    annual that prefers sun, and can spread aggressively from seed.
  * Carex vulpinoidea (fox sedge) is a  somewhat weedy native that likes
    wet areas.

To summarize, I'm not sure that this seed combination would be 
appropriate for you based on your stated goal although your shade 
(partial shade?) might keep the more aggressive plants under some 
control. In fact, I can't say what species would work best for you 
because I don't know the growing conditions at your site (e.g., degree 
of shade, moisture level, soil type).

I'd recommend one or more straight-species natives, that aren't overly 
aggressive. For example, Danthonia spicata (poverty oatgrass) could be 
used as a fill-in if the soil at your site tends towards poor, dry and 
rocky. Also, would you consider the more expensive option of plugs 
instead of seed? If so, there are a lot of woodland sedges that are deer 
resistant and are good choices if they work for your growing conditions, 
such as Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge), C. radiata (eastern 
star sedge) and C. glaucodea (blue wood sedge -- note this is not the 
same as C. flaccosperma).  Another possibility, if you have the budget, 
is just to fill in spaces around the existing plants with plugs of the 
same herbaceous species you've already chosen. In any case, you might 
want to avoid using: (1) compost because it can encourage weeds due to 
increased soil fertility, and (2) mulch because it can inhibit spread of 
the existing plants through seed germination.

Please let me know if you have further questions.

Judy
____________________________________________

Judith P. Fulton
Consultant & Educator, Native and Invasive Plants
Master Gardener, University of Maryland Extension
Chair, Maryland Invasive Species Council Subcommittee on Invasives Lists
410-337-3701
jfulton5 at gmail.com

On 3/19/2018 8:00 AM, Jensen, Mary wrote:
> Hi Toni,
>
> At Valley Forge NHP we used this mix from Ernst:
> https://www.ernstseed.com/product/right-of-way-native-woods-mix-wannual-ryegrass/?anchor=0
> to re-seed a social trail that we closed.  So far, seems to be  working.
>
> But not sure about deer, Valley Forge has gotten them down to about 30 
> per square mile...  Maybe Ernst can let you know if this would still 
> work if your deer are higher density, or maybe they have some other 
> options.
>
> **************************************************************
> Kate Jensen
> Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Liaison
> Shenandoah National Park
> 3655 US Hwy 211 E
> Luray, VA 22835
> 540 999 3500  x3496
> FAX 540 999 3693
> kate_jensen at nps.gov <mailto:kate_jensen at nps.gov>
>
> *P**Please c**onsider the environment before printing this email*
>
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 16, 2018 at 12:10 PM, Toni Bailey 
> <toni at gracefullygreen.com <mailto:toni at gracefullygreen.com>> wrote:
>
>     Hello All:
>
>     I am working with a shady slope near a natural area in Montgomery
>     County, MD that was planted last spring with a combination of
>     native trees, shrubs, ferns, and flowering perennials. Like
>     everywhere, the deer presence is heavy. We are considering seeding
>     this spring with a groundcover that will establish easily and keep
>     the weeds at bay until the other plants fill in.
>
>     Does anyone have suggestions for things that work well in these
>     conditions?
>
>     Thanks so much for your help!
>
>     Toni Bailey
>     Toni Bailey
>     **Gracefully Green, LLC**
>     Sustainable Landscape Specialists
>     Silver Spring, Maryland   20910
>     voice:  301-279-0234
>     fax:     301-279-0134
>     www.gracefullygreen.com <http://www.gracefullygreen.com/>
>
>
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