Resistant plants versus honey fungus
In the world of gardening, one fungal foe that poses a significant challenge is honey fungus. This persistent threat can stunt the growth of various plants and even lead to their demise. However, not all hope is lost, as there are several plants that have proven to be resistant to this fungus.
Firstly, it's worth noting that resistant plants tend to be woody, hardy perennials or certain shrubby plants, although resistance can vary by species and local conditions. Among the plants known to be resistant to honey fungus are Phlomis, Lavender, Smoke bush, Yew, Honeysuckle, Myrtle, and Salvias.
While all the aforementioned plants are resistant to some extent, it's important to clarify the status of each. Phlomis, for instance, is explicitly noted as a resistant plant, similar to Chinese bamboo, which is also known for its resistance to honey fungus. Honeysuckle, on the other hand, is a vigorous plant but the text does not confirm its resistance to honey fungus. The status of Japanese quince, Lavender, Smoke bush, Yew, Myrtle, and Salvias is less clear, as there is not definitive confirmation of their resistance in the current results.
Lavender, a member of the Lamiaceae family, and Salvias are, however, generally recognised as resistant to honey fungus.
When dealing with honey fungus, it's generally recommended to select resistant species if replanting after the removal of infected plants.
Plants that are commonly affected by honey fungus include lilac, viburnum, weigela, willow, cotoneaster, liquidambar, laburnum, rowan, and forsythia. Recognising honey fungus is crucial to prevent its spread. Look for signs of decay and white fungal material beneath the bark at the collar of the plant where the roots and stem meet. Digging in the soil around affected plants will often reveal the dark, bootlace threads of honey fungus.
Despite honey fungus preventing the growth of many plants, there are several alternatives. Two such options are the Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica) and Phlomis. The Japanese quince is a wall shrub or hedging plant, usually grown for its intense orange-red flowers in early spring. It grows best in a sunny or partly shaded spot in moist but well-drained soil.
Phlomis, another resistant option, is a popular choice among gardeners. Phlomis fruticosa, Phlomis russeliana, Phlomis longifolia, and Phlomis tuberosa are popular types of Phlomis plants.
It's important to note that honey fungus is usually encountered with Armillaria mellea and Armillaria gallica species in the UK. Honey fungus can kill old and majestic trees and shrubs, which can be a problem for orchard owners.
The Smoke bush (Cotinus coggyria) is another resistant option, offering airy pink summer flowers and vibrant autumn colors. The common myrtle (Myrtus communis) is an evergreen shrub or small tree with fragrant white flowers in late summer. Yew (Taxus baccata) is rarely affected by honey fungus and works well as an evergreen hedge or backdrop.
In the early stages, the first signs of honey fungus in soil are a sparse crown, branch dieback, smaller leaves, cracking and bleeding bark, and sometimes clumps of honey-coloured mushrooms.
By understanding which plants are resistant to honey fungus and learning how to identify the signs of this fungus, gardeners can take proactive steps to protect their gardens and continue to enjoy the beauty of their plants.
Home-and-garden enthusiasts should consider incorporating resistant plants like Lavender and Salvias into their gardens, as they are often resistant to honey fungus. Meanwhile, when dealing with honey fungus, it's generally advised to choose resistant species for replanting, such as the Smoke bush (Cotinus coggyria) and Yew (Taxus baccata), when replacing infected plants.
