Wealden Times | WT260 | January 2024 | Good Living Supplement inside

Garden
“I’m trying to
convince myself
that, rather
like after the
1987 storm,
there’ll now be
opportunities
to make a few
changes in the
garden”
much of the affected plant as possible.
It is only later in the fungus’s progress
that you will spot the clumps of large
honey coloured mushrooms appearing
in late summer. These are, of course,
the final giveaway. They vary in size and
shape and are very recognisable because
of their size and by each mushroom
having a white ring of tissue known
as the annulus just under the cap.
Smaller trees and shrubs can be
protected to some extent by thoroughly
mulching and fertilising as well as
watering regularly in dry summers. The
other thing is to remember to add a
good sprinkle of beneficial mycorrhizal
fungi, naturally present in the soil,
around the roots of new plantings
(Rootgrow is easily available). Trees and
shrubs planted a little too deeply with
soil or compost piled up around their
base are more likely to be damaged as
the fungus can spread through their root
collar. The advice too is to leave the
ground fallow for up to a year before
replanting after you have removed as
much damaged material as you can.
Check whether any new plant
you intend to introduce is capable
of withstanding the fungus if you
definitely know that you have it. The
RHS, amongst others, publish a very
comprehensive list of plants that are
not affected. It would seem sensible
to stick to those. The only one on
the list that I would take issue with is
the flowering quince. Ours seems to
be about to succumb having battled
through several seasons of poor growth
and now a peeling bark – but you never
know, it may be something else. And
I’m sure that it might have preferred a
less exposed spot. Another note to self.
Sue Whigham can be contacted
on 07810 457948 for gardening
advice and help in the sourcing and
supply of interesting garden plants.
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