Ferns

Ferns are a group of plants from the down of time and are extremely successful in different climates and regions. They grow all over the world, so no matter what your temperate zone you will be sure to find types of them that are adapted to and will grow well in it.

Then consider they can provide such a lush green, almost tropical look to a garden. There is more, they can range in height from just a few inches high to taller than the height of an adult man, and thus are extremely useful in landscaping your garden, allowing you to achieve just the effect and look that you want for your garden.

These are shade plants and generally indigenous to woodlands. This means that they will rarely, if ever, tolerate direct sunlight, preferring partial or even deep shade.

However, they are just right for those shady spots I your garden or in your woods where nothing else will grow. If the growing conditions are right, they can be not only very hardy, but can even be aggressive. This is not always a bad thing.

If, for example, you have woods where sunlight hardly ever reaches the ground and where very few plants will grow at ground level, introducing ferns might perhaps be the best thing that you could do.

Put in groups of these plants, preferably of different species with a considerable height difference to give a three dimensional height texture to the foliage, and as as woodland conditions greatly favor the growth and spread of these interesting plant, you will soon have a beautiful carpet of gently waving green fronds covering the ground in your woods, and making them so much more beautiful than before.

They will also do exceedingly well in the shady places of your garden, where the sunlight itself should prevent them from spreading beyond the shaded areas.

However, remember than this species can be aggressive if conditions are right, so you may have to limit its spread manually if you wish to balance it with other plants.

Growing this plant

Generally speaking, if you would like a more rare species, you will have to buy it from a nursery. Be careful that whatever ferns you buy, it is actually suited to your climate type – you do not want to buy a highly tropical variety that may look beautiful but is really only suited to a greenhouse.

A nice place to acquire ferns suited to your climate is in the wild. If they grow wildly, they will be extremely hardy, if not aggressive, and will require very little care and supervision to survive.

Remember they are ancient plants that do not propagate in ways that you are used to. What you will have to do is to dig up a wild fern in the spring and then put it in your garden. As the new fronds of the plant open out, they will release spores that will then cause them to spread.

How to take care of ferns

Though it will tolerate full shade, they actually do best when given a little dappled sunlight. Also, these plants really prefer richly moist soil. Mix in some rich compost to about ten inches into the soil before you plant them, and they will flourish.

Make sure the soil is kept damp in dry spells, and add slow release fertilizes from time to time. Mulching to protect the plants from cold weather is advised.

Summary

This plant makes a great addition to any shade garden. There are so many to choose from. Many different shapes , sizes and colors.

These shade loving plants thrive in rich, moist, humus soil with an acid PH. Ideally 1 part soil, 1 part clean sand and 2 parts peat moss. Adding compost mulch twice a year will keep the roots cool and moist in the Summer and protect the rhizomes from freezing and thawing in the Winter. Mulching will also help keep the soil PH near an ideal reading.

There are different growing habits to consider. Some will stay in clumps, while others tend to spread. Choose the correct one. These will spread:

• New York
• Hay Scented
• March
• Bracken

If you want to naturalize an area these would be your best bet.

A few clumping types would be:

• Cinnamon
• Japanese Painted
• Lady
• Maidenhair
• Ostrich
• Royal
• Regal

Most generally will grow 6 to 36 inches tall, even taller if you would like. A great addition to an area gardening in shade.

More Photos

Types of Ferns

Royal Ferns Scientific Name: Osmunda regalis Zone: 3-9 Sun: Full Sun - Full Shade It is a tall, deciduous fern which usually occurs on moist bluffs and ledges and along streams (sometimes growing in th... more

Christmas Fern Scientific Name: Polystichum acrostichoides Zone: 4-9 Sun: Full Shade - Partial Sun Occurs in both dry and moist wooded slopes, moist banks and ravines. It typically grows in a fountain... more

Back to Shade Gardens Ideas and Plan