Mycorrhizae - the mutually beneficial relationship between the plant and root fungus

The “Cool” Plants

The Perfect Hedge

In the FieldSummer 2016A Newsletter from Waverly Farm

“Mycor”–“rhiza” literally means “fungus”–“root” and defines the mutually beneficial relationship between the plant and root fungus. These specialized

fungi colonize plant roots and extend far into the soil. Mycorrhizal fungal filaments in the soil are truly extensions of root systems and are more effective in nutrient and water absorption than the roots themselves. More than 90 percent of plant species in natural areas form a symbiotic relationship with the beneficial mycorrhizal fungi. There are major classes of mycorrhizae and many types within the classes. One type grows into the root forming a root extension while another grows around the root system. Both provide benefit but the actual extension of roots provides the greatest benefit. There are numerous mycorrhizae products available for both landscape construction and all manner of nursery production. A thorough read of the available literature suggests that this industry produces good, better, and best products with some possibly shipping mostly dead product. Much research aimed at inoculation of planting soils has produced limited positive results in some cases and none in others. Some nursery field growers move soil from adjacent wooded areas to their growing fields to inoculate the soil. Composted manures can contain mycorrhizal populations. We amend our soils with 120 tons of compost per acre before each planting rotation but have never sought to prove the existence of viable mycorrhizae populations.

Researchers have long known that significant plant benefits exist when mycorrhizae are present in the soil. However, at least some researchers will state that the more they know the more research is required to truly understand this phenomenal development of nature. My research indicates that we should be cautious primarily for two reasons; first the production and delivery of live mycorrhizae products is challenging, and second, research shows that consistent, repeatable soil inoculation is even more challenging. Further, efficacy may not be obvious.

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MycorrhizaeBy Jerry Faulring

What we need to know before getting started with mycorrhizae: (2)Benefits of Mycorrhizae: (1)

• Enhanced plant efficiency in absorbing water and nutrients from the soil.

• Reduced fertility and irrigation requirements.• Increased drought resistance.• Increased pathogen resistance/protection.• Enhanced plant health and vigor, and minimizing

stress.• Enhanced seedling growth.• Enhanced rooting of cuttings.• Enhanced transplant establishment.• Improved phytoremediation of petroleum and heavy

metal contaminated sites.• Not all plants are mycorrhizal; lists are available on

the internet.

• Most plants will grow and survive without mycorrhizae.

• If one inoculates plants with mycorrhizae, don’t assume benefit; several other soil conditions may result in robust growth conditions.

• From the previous fact, proof of benefit does not always translate to all production or landscape situations.

• The expense of inoculation may exceed the benefits and one should evaluate the use of mycorrhizae just as one would evaluate any other production input.

• Application of mycorrhizae does not guarantee inoculation which can usually be verified only by microscopic or DNA evaluation.

• If mycorrhizal inoculation is the goal, one must prove successful inoculation occurs before continuing.

• Once plants become mycorrhizal there is no guarantee they will remain so.

• Benefits incurred in a production system does not guarantee transfer to the landscape.

• Changes in environmental and cultural factors can alter mycorrhizal status in the plant.

• Mycorrhizae success in early plant development may not continue as a plant matures.

Does this all sound a bit confusing and contradictory? The benefits and advantages cited by Davies would encourage me to jump right in. Yet the facts listed by Scagel and Lindeman cause me to proceed with extreme caution. Most of us are not in a position to prove that we have successfully inoculated the plants. Unlike soil amendments with fertilizer or compost which usually produce near-term visual proof of efficacy, it appears that we may have difficulty assuring success with mycorrhizal inoculation.

It is not my intention to discourage the use of mycorrhizae. For me, based on the facts, I would be very cautious before spending money for product and labor to achieve a potentially elusive, verifiable benefit. I would be pleased to hear from anyone who has proven successful inoculation.

Sources:(1) Dr. Fred Davies, Texas A&M University(2) Carolyn Scagel and Robert Linderman, USDA-ARS Horticultural Crops Laboratory, Corvalis, Oregon

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Designing with cool plants By Jessica Ahrweiler

Picea orientalis ‘Aureospicata’

As many growers do, we have a diverse inventory of material. Over time a grower becomes known for specific items. For instance,

I receive a lot of requests for our Viburnum, Lilac, and Boxwood. Hollies are our number one seller. Throw in a couple of Dogwood, a Heptacodium or Beech and the order is good to go! Occasionally, someone asks me… for a “cool” plant. One such recent request inspired me to draw up a list of some of our material I think are cool to share with all. These plants may or may not hold high esteem with their plant-peers, we may never know. To me, a “cool” tree has unique and inspiring characteristics, uncommon to the typical LA’s repertoire. They might have bright and unusual coloring, or grow in a unique habit. These are the trees that would make great centerpieces, or perfectly placed as a focal point near an outdoor living space. Place the irregular evergreen off to one side of the kitchen window so you always have a funky plant friend as you wash dishes in the winter. Slip a blue Deodar Cedar in view of the pool to draw on the calming effects of ‘cool’ colors desired during poolside relaxation. Whatever my imagination conjures up, I’m sure you can find equally creative uses for some of these funky-fun, COOL plant ideas. I hope these plants inspire!

Cedrus deodara ‘Sander’s Blue’

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Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Green Arrow’

Picea orientalis ‘Aureospicata’ Until recently our singular specimen of P.o. ‘Aureospicata’ has escaped my attention by hiding away in a random row of Redbuds. This handsome spruce’s new flush emerge yellow, vibrant against the dark green mature foliage. Purple cones compliment the yellow tones. In spring, it is a beautiful specimen. (See picture on page 4)

Cedrus deodara ‘Sander’s Blue’ If you like the blue of the Colorado spruce you will like this Deodar Cedar. The new flush is vibrant blue that fades to darker blue at maturity. This is the bluest of the Deodar Cedars. Ours are currently tall and sleek, though eventually they grow to about 40’x 25’. (Picture on page 4)

Cedrus atlantica ‘Kroh’s Twisted’ This Atlantic Cedar has green foliage similar to the species. Its difference lies in how the needles and branch tips curl and twirl about. It seems few people know about this one, but I’d love to finally sell one of these… any takers??

Pinus strobus ‘Pendula’ It’s certainly a unique one, adapting an irregular, weeping form. It has blue-green to gold-ish needles. You can train it to grow as you want…train it upright, or let it trail along the ground.

Pinus strobus ‘Contorta’ Also named Pinus strobus ‘Torulosa’, this one has twisty needles on an open, irregular form.

Picea abies ‘Pendula Upright Blue’ or ‘Pendula’ Thin figures with weeping branches offer the unique caricature-esque profiles that I suggest posting as silent sentinels outside the kitchen window. There is such variety among each individual one, that you can have a lot of fun choosing one with the perfect shape for your spot! We stake ours so they grow upright. They are also extremely adaptable to most conditions.

Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Green Arrow’ I’ve had multiple people say these look like “Dr. Seuss” trees… that’s cool right?? The full base emits a strong upright leader, very much a downward-pointing arrow. If anyone wants to re-enact “Blue Fish, Two Fish, Three Fish, I Fish”…this is the tree for your garden. In all seriousness though, this is a handsome, dwarf Alaskan Cedar that is highly tolerant to cold-exposed areas and clay soils. It has fragrant foliage and can make a unique focal point in any setting.

Picea abies ‘Pendula’

Pinus strobus ‘Pendula’Pinus strobus ‘Contorta’

Cedrus atlantica ‘Kroh’s Twisted’

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Scan for current AvailabilityContact Info:

Waverly Farm1931 Greenfield RoadAdamstown, Maryland 21710

Office (301) 874-8300 Fax (301) 874-8302

Jessica Ahrweiler - Sales & MarketingJessica@waverlyfarm.com

Lisa DeRamus - Accounting & Admin.Lisa@waverlyfarm.com

Tiffany Senseman - Shipping & Admin.Tiffany@waverlyfarm.com

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A consistant request is for hedge material. Evergreen with an exact height and width, of course. We offer the perfect solution. We trim a series of our Ilex ‘Dragon Lady’ to uniform columns that are 100% hedge ready. With the precise maintainence given to these upright columns twice a year, our hedge form Ilex ‘Dragon Lady’ are incredibly dense and meticulously shaped. They also remain easy to maintain if you want to keep a specific height.

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Columnar Ilex ‘Dragon Lady’ - The Perfect Hedge

Waverly Farm is a 200 acre field production nursery. We grow over 400 different plants with a focus on large landscape size material of above average quality.

Our single mission is to deliver quality plant material in an atmosphere of exceptional service, trust, and friendship. We take great pride in customer relationships, going all out to develop a mutually beneficial partnership with our customers; it’s not work- it’s what makes this such a rewarding endeavor.

The Waverly Farm growing system is a point of great pride. Twelve years ago we belonged to the ‘sea of sameness’ for field growing strategies. A long standing goal has been to leave the farm better than we found it. What has evolved is a growing system that builds and replaces soil sold with our plants while dramatically enhancing their transplant-ability and survivability.