Agarden planting offernsconjures up images of shaded retreat and cool walks by wooded stream . Yes , fern do abound in the inscrutable , drear timberland . But not all ferns are throttle to theshade . They grow in every conceivable situation . I have found these on the face of it fragile beauties uprise inrock crevices , on sun - baked cliff , among glob of desert cacti and in the whirling mist of pounding waterfalls . Ferns are tougher and more wide-ranging than most gardener substantiate , yet they epitomize simplicity and elegance . This combination of qualities makes them versatile garden plants . The bulk of thefernscovered in this article reach from USDA Hardiness Zone 4 ( – 30 ° F ) to Zone 8 ( 10 ° F ) , and some will hold out the extreme point of Zone 2 ( – 50 ° F ) and Zone 10 ( 30 ° F ) .
Garden ferns shine into two unsubtle radical based in their choose home ground : reason - dwellers and rock and roll - dwellers . dry land - dwellers adjust with ease to garden conditions and are popular plant . In the wild , they grow in openwoodlands , swamps , marshes , and conifer forests ; they are found on shaded bank , along streamsides , on dead logs , and on mossy hummocks .
Rock - dwellers exploit bare cliff faces , shaded overhangs , the sides of waterfall , the tops of boulders , and even the trunks of trees . Most of them are best left to experienced grower , although a few are easily cultivated in a stone garden or on a gemstone wall . Because of the specialized treatment many rock - inhabitant need , I will encompass only ground - dwellers in this clause . This grouping of ferns alone contains enough sort to action the bulk of garden penury .
Suggested Uses and Combinations
Since ferns are not set to shade in their native habitats , we should not bound them to shaded retreat in our gardens . I utilize them in courtly as well as informal options . I implant them alone as accents or in combination with wild flower , perennials , and floweringshrubs . The wide variation in leaf grain , cultural requisite , and size ensures a fern for every garden post ( see chart below ) .
Ferns have two basic growth forms : fawn and crown - forming . crawl fern grow from trailing rhizome or runner and spread through the garden well . Their fronds are have a bun in the oven in loose clump or in lines along the rootstock . Crown - forming ferns grow from erect rhizomes and carry their frond in a circle or soaked vaselike clump .
Foliage is a fern ’s major endowment , so consider the color and texture of the frond carefully when choosing these plants . Mixed plantings of ferns by themselves or with other foliage plants are very effective . The gray - greenfronds of marginal wood ferns(Dryopteris marginalis)look not bad with blue hostas and purple coralbells(Heuchera‘Palace Purple ’ ) . Chartreuse disturb ferns(Osmunda claytoniana)combine well with dark evergreen fern and variegate foliage . I love balmy - light-green frond juxtapose with the stiff blades of ornamental grasses , or the sheeny frond of deer fern(Blechnum spicant)and many shieldferns ( Polystichumspp . ) glistening in sink in sunlight . In a planting that is preponderantly fern , mix texture and impart evergreen fern such as wood ferns(Dryopterisspp . ) and Christmas ferns(Polystichum acrostichoides)for winter interest .
Large fern work a perfectbackdrop for herbaceous planting ; apply them in a roomy borderline with largeperennials such as rhubarb , plume poppy , hibiscus , and hosta . Insert them in foundation planting along with or instead of traditional shrub ; declamatory ferns are perfect for hide out the “ naked ankle joint ” of thin shrubs or perennials . Plant them along fence or walls to break up a flat expanse . Mass planting of ostrich ferns(Matteuccia struthiopteris)andOsmundaspecies are very effective for satiate bare spaces or add profoundness in the shade of tall trees .
Moderately sized ferns such as New York fern(Thelypteris noveboracensis),lady fern(Athyrium filix - femina)and maidenhair(Adiantum pedatum)have many possibilities in the garden . Use them in combining with perennials , bulbs , and spring wild flower . Their unfurling fronds are a beautiful complement to outpouring beauty(Claytonia virginica),blue phlox(Phlox divaricata),and others . And the fronds will fill in the white smear leave when wildflower and spring bulbs go abeyant .
Try fern along a shaded walk to define the path or on a incline to hold the soil . Ferns with creeping rootstalk are serious for this purpose . Some rhizomatous ferns are rearing growers . Plant these where they can circularize to form profuse ground cover and fill in under shrubs .
treetop - form fern make excellent accents alone or in little groupings because of their graceful vase shape . They are slow growing , so you need n’t fear they will take over the garden the way some carry fern will .
For low wet areas , chain ferns(Woodwardiaspp.),Osmundaspecies , and marsh ferns(Thelypterisspp . ) are stunning . Combine them with the spiky foliage of H2O sword lily , ligularias , and arrowheads(Sagittariaspp . ) .
Cultivation of Ferns
To be a successful fern gardener , you must rival the plants with the conditions in your garden . Group ferns by their growth requirements when using them with flowering plants or when combining several mintage . cautiously dress them by size within a mixed planting . frond are a fern ’s best property , so do n’t obliterate them in a mass of deficient foliage or establish them too densely .
Most fern open quickly , and some grow quite magnanimous . Know their habits , sizes , and broadcast before planting . The orotund ones resent disturbance once they are lay down , and moving them may give their heartiness for years .
Ferns generally require rich , moist dirt with extra constitutive matter , but some opt drier , less rich ground . Although most ferns develop in indifferent to moderately acidulous dirt , some are very cross about pH. Research your plants ’ need , and have your grunge tested by your county concerted elongation avail to determine dirt type , fertility , and pH.
cook the soil bed by double digging or at least by turning to a jigaboo ’s depth . contain an copious provision of compost and manure to improve the friability of the dirt . Add a wakeful aspersion of organic fertiliser if the need is point by a filth test .
Buying and Planting Hardy Ferns
Garden centre are ultimately catching on to the rising popularity of fern , although they still offer a modified selection — mostly standard aboriginal metal money . To produce any but the most common specie , you will have to tell through the mail .
Large plant at low prices normally mean you are purchasing wild - collect plants . Bonus plants sharing the pot with the fern are another clue . These fern may come from park and preserves and may have been polish off lawlessly . Do n’t be afraid to ask the vendor for his or her sources if you wish to serve put a check to this exercise .
It is unspoiled to institute in surrender or former leap . fern from a garden center will be potted , but ring armour - order plants are probable to go far bare - root . Remove pot plant from their container . Very carefully mark the origin ball with a abrupt knife , or mildly tease the radical ball asunder with your digit . This break up the solid mass of fibrous roots that often take form along the container wall , and it loosens the potting soil .
Many commercial potting mixture are light than garden territory and can dry out out quicker . This is detrimental to the fern until it lay down a new root system in your garden soil . Remove the mix from the root ball to annul problem . engraft the fern at the same floor at which it was develop in the pot . For bare - root plants with creep rhizomes , this should be ½ to 1 inch below the control surface . big rootstalk can be imbed deeply . Planting too profoundly , especially for plants with single crown , mean certain death . Osmundaspecies , Dryopterisspecies , and ostrich ferns are particularly fussy about this . Place their crown 3 to 5 inches above the territory , depending on the size of the plant . If plants are dry , soak their root system in water for an hour before you plant them . If they are small , pot them up for a few months until they are well established .
Fern Maintenance
Ferns are truly modest - maintenance plant . Few weeds compete against fern grown in shade . In gay gardens , dense fronds shade off the ground and discourage weeds . A light-headed mulch of shredded leaves or bark helps eliminate weeds that persist and keep up wet . Ferns never ask staking , pinching , or pruning , except for remotion of an occasional damage frond . pesterer are few ; type slug may be a problem , and scale may appear on a stipe or rachis , but you could control them with approved constitutional pesticides . commemorate , the fruit point on the back of the frond are not worm ; these are the fern ’s manner of propagating itself .
In the North , weigh a winter mulch of leaves or wheat to protect the crowns of dormant flora . use the mulch after the land freezes when you may be certain the flora are torpid . Each outpouring , polish off last fall ’s mulch from the fern bed , shred it , and reelect it to the layer . Do this very too soon in the season to obviate harm to issue fiddleheads ( young unfurling frond ) . run down is not advised because it may damage crowns and acquire tips .
Fertilizer is rarely needed as long as mulch is left to disintegrate . A topdressing of well - composted manure added every two years assist build up the grease and bring nitrogen .
With this minimal aid , your ferns should expand for many years . You ’ll be as enchant of them as I have been since I was transfixed by a lump of wild maidenhair as a boy and compose , “ They lifted their delicate fronds , like lace horseshoes , a base above the primer coat litter . ” For me , the enchantment of ferns will never decline .
— C. Colston Burrell is a garden designer , author , lensman , and lifelong fern fancier . He gardens in Minneapolis .
Fine Gardening commend ware
Let ferns take center stage. These ostrich ferns are beautiful enough for a single-species planting. Ferns don’t have to play a supporting role in the garden.
Gardener ’s Log Book from NYBG
Lee Valley Garden Knife
ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner
Let ferns take center stage. These ostrich ferns are beautiful enough for a single-species planting. Ferns don’t have to play a supporting role in the garden.
Get our latest summit , how - to articles , and instructional video send to your inbox .
sign you up …
Related Articles
3 Hardy Native Sedges You Should Grow
How to Care for Houseplant Ferns
Tough, Hardy Native Perennials for the Midwest
Native Ferns for Moist Shade in the Mid-Atlantic Garden
Join Fine Gardening for a free engage bouncy webinar feature Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned plant pathologist as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals proficient coach …
When I spotted a particular sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delightful colouring pattern …
When we only prioritize plants we want over works our landscape indigence , each time of year is fill with a never - ending inclination of chore : pruning , pinching , lachrymation , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …
Combine ferns and flowering perennials in shade or sun. Maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum), coralbells, bleeding heart, epimedium, and a hosta compose a classic shade combination above.
Subscribe today and save up to 47%
Video
Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat
You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re probable to trip on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a pair …
4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden
Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill
Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage
4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard
All Access member get more
Sign up for afree trialand get admittance to ALL our regional content , plus the residuum of the member - only message library .
Start Free Trial
Sun-loving black-eyed Susans startle the eye as they peek out from a wall of bracken (Pteridium aquilinum).
Get accomplished site approach to expert advice , regional capacity , and more , plus the print cartridge clip .
Start your gratuitous trial
Already a member?enter
The fiddleheads of cinnamon fern (Osdmunda cinnamomea) are edible when very young. Unfurling fern fronds are a hallmark of spring.
Value ferns for their foliage. The variety of frond forms and textures is very great. Ferns fit the bill in most situations where a foliage plant is needed.
