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<p><font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">HI Toni,<br>
<br>
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,
</font><font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><font
face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">depending on how much sun
your shady site gets,</font> they might crowd out less
aggressive species. Here are comments on some of the species in
this Ernst mix:<br>
</font></p>
<ul>
<li><font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">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.</font></li>
<li><font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">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: <br>
- 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. <br>
- Cultivars have little genetic diversity, and are at risk
for damaging native populations through cross-pollination.</font></li>
<li><font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">
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.<br>
</font></li>
<li><font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">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?</font></li>
<li><font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Chamaecrista
fasciculata (partridge pea) is an attractive native annual
that prefers sun, and can spread aggressively from seed. <br>
</font></li>
<li><font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">
Carex vulpinoidea (fox sedge) is a somewhat weedy native that
likes wet areas.</font></li>
</ul>
<p><font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"> </font><font
face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">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). <br>
<br>
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</font><font
face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">, and (2) mulch because it
can inhibit spread of the existing plants through seed
germination.<br>
<br>
Please let me know if you have further questions.<br>
<br>
Judy</font><br>
____________________________________________<br>
</p>
<div class="moz-signature">
<br>
Judith P. Fulton<br>
<span class="">Consultant & Educator, Native and Invasive
Plants<br>
Master Gardener, University of Maryland Extension<br>
<span>Chair, Maryland Invasive Species Council Subcommittee on
Invasives Lists</span></span><br>
410-337-3701<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:jfulton5@gmail.com">jfulton5@gmail.com</a><br>
<br>
</div>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 3/19/2018 8:00 AM, Jensen, Mary
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:CAJGiktXvc6akRVhY1A=Enz5eYnTe=Bur0XNakvBxOuWnY1A0Hg@mail.gmail.com">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">Hi Toni,</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br>
</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">At Valley
Forge NHP we used this mix from Ernst:</div>
<div class="gmail_default"><a
href="https://www.ernstseed.com/product/right-of-way-native-woods-mix-wannual-ryegrass/?anchor=0"
moz-do-not-send="true">https://www.ernstseed.com/product/right-of-way-native-woods-mix-wannual-ryegrass/?anchor=0</a><br>
</div>
<div class="gmail_default">to re-seed a social trail that we
closed. So far, seems to be working.</div>
<div class="gmail_default"><br>
</div>
<div class="gmail_default">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.</div>
</div>
<div class="gmail_extra"><br clear="all">
<div>
<div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature">
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small">**************************************************************<br>
Kate Jensen<br>
</div>
<div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small">Mid-Atlantic
Exotic Plant Management Team Liaison</div>
<div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small"><span
style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12.8px">Shenandoah
National Park</span><br
style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12.8px">
<span
style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12.8px">3655
US Hwy 211 E</span><br
style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12.8px">
<span
style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12.8px">Luray,
VA 22835</span><br>
</div>
<div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small">540
999 3500 x3496</div>
<div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small">FAX
540 999 3693</div>
<div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small"><a
href="mailto:kate_jensen@nps.gov"
style="color:rgb(17,85,204)"
target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true">kate_jensen@nps.gov</a><br>
</div>
<div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small"><b><span
style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Webdings;color:green">P</span></b><b><span
style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:navy"> </span><span
style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><font
color="#38761d">Please c</font></span></b><b><font
color="#38761d"><span
style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">onsi</span><span
style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">der</span><span
style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> the
environment before printing this email</span></font></b><br>
</div>
<div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small"><br>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<br>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Fri, Mar 16, 2018 at 12:10 PM, Toni
Bailey <span dir="ltr"><<a
href="mailto:toni@gracefullygreen.com" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">toni@gracefullygreen.com</a>></span>
wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0
.8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div>
<div
style="color:#000;background-color:#fff;font-family:Helvetica
Neue,Helvetica,Arial,Lucida
Grande,sans-serif;font-size:16px">
<div
id="m_-8856588076141657550yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1521211288767_15256"><span>Hello
All:</span></div>
<div
id="m_-8856588076141657550yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1521211288767_15256"><span><br>
</span></div>
<div
id="m_-8856588076141657550yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1521211288767_15256"><span
id="m_-8856588076141657550yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1521211288767_15359">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.</span></div>
<div
id="m_-8856588076141657550yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1521211288767_15256"><span><br>
</span></div>
<div
id="m_-8856588076141657550yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1521211288767_15256"><span>Does
anyone have suggestions for things that work well in
these conditions?</span></div>
<div
id="m_-8856588076141657550yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1521211288767_15256"><span><br>
</span></div>
<div
id="m_-8856588076141657550yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1521211288767_15256"><span>Thanks
so much for your help!</span></div>
<div
id="m_-8856588076141657550yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1521211288767_15256"><span><br>
</span></div>
<div
id="m_-8856588076141657550yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1521211288767_15256"><span>Toni
Bailey</span></div>
<div
id="m_-8856588076141657550yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1521211288767_15255"> </div>
<div class="m_-8856588076141657550signature"
id="m_-8856588076141657550yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1521211288767_15246">
<div class="MsoNormal"
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style="font-size:14px"><font
class="m_-8856588076141657550Apple-style-span"
face="verdana, helvetica, sans-serif">Toni
Bailey</font></span></div>
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Green, LLC</span></font></b></b><br>
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