Fern Facts
Preparing the Soil
Most ferns prefer a well-prepared, humus-rich and acidic (pH 5.5 to 6.5) soil. The ideal fern bed composition is soil/sharp sand/peat moss in a ratio of 1:1:2. Beds should be dug to about 18" - 24' deep if practical. The top 6" of soil should have copious amounts of compost and other organic matter worked into it. Sphagnum moss, coniferous tree needles and oak leaves are ideal additions to a fern garden soil. To make the soil more acidic, add powdered sulphur, superphosphate, or ammonium sulphate. However, do this gradually (use a pH test kit to monitor the changing pH) to not destroy the soil micro-organisms from pH-change shock. Place a decaying log in the fern bed and use it as a backdrop for ferns!
Planting and Maintaining Ferns
Fern rhizomes should be planted so that the crowns are just below ground level. Keep newly planted ferns moist during the first year of growth. The fronds of some ferns can turn brown or break off as the season progresses. These can be removed without harm to the plant: compost them or lay them on the soil as part of a naturalized mulch program. Annual additions of acidified compost or mulch is recommended. When over-wintering potted specimens outdoors, set the pot into soil in a protected location and mulch heavily to prevent drying/freezing of the roots.
Propagating Ferns by Rhizome Division
Fern rhizomes which branch frequently can be easily divided. Cut segments from a mature rhizome to include at least one point where frond clusters will originate. Replant divisions at the same depth as the original. If dug in growing season, remove about 1/3 of the foliage to reduce moisture stress.
Fern rhizomes which grow in a single line require a two-stage division technique. First, after carefully removing the surface soil covering the rhizome, cut part way through the rhizome. This injury will stimulate the rhizome to produce a new growth tip. Later in the season, when a new frond has been produced at the injury site, then complete the cutting of the rhizome at the initial cutting location. Lift the severed rhizome and replant it.
Rhizome division should be restricted to ferns growing in home gardens. Fern colonies growing in the wild are easily destroyed by over-zealous division – they should not be disturbed
Some Ferns are Spreaders!
Not all ferns are suited to a well-tended gardens as some are rampant runners. Included in this category are Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum), Hay-Scented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula), New York Fern (Dryopteris novaboracencis) and the Marsh Fern (Dryopteris thelypteris). They are, however, suitable for naturalized gardens.
Ferns to be Available in 2009 from Reilly's Country Gardens
(Supply of ferns will be limited in 2009 as we deplete our stock due to closing our nursery this year.)
Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium nipponicum 'picta')
• Lacy, olive-green triangular fronds, to 24" tall by 12" wide, have metallic-grey and red sheen.
• Plant in light to full shade in moist, humus-rich soil.
• Good ground cover or as accent plants. Slow to spread.
• Mulch with compost and provide winter mulch in snowless areas.
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum) - native to eastern Canada.
• Delicate, erect grey-green fronds with dark-red stems. 12" tall - 16" spread.
• Grow in a north-facing wind-protected site in filtered sun to deep shade.
• Plant as specimens or ground cover. Can be grown in pots.
Ostrich Fern (Matteucia struthiopteris) - native to eastern Canada.
• Dark green upright triangular-shaped fronds grow in vase-shaped clumps to 48" tall. Spread quickly by underground stems.
• Plant in light to deep shade (tolerates sun) in always moist soil. Once established, we note that it colonizes well in dry soils under our century-old maples.
• Good ground cover ( i.e. it spreads rapidly) for slopes and wet areas.
Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis 'purpurascens')
• Leathery green upright fronds (reddish on emergence) grows to 36". Grows in vase-like clumps.
• Plant in light to deep shade in always moist soil @ pH 5.5 - 6.5. It tolerates slightly alkaline soils too.
• Plant at about 3 foot intervals for massing. Spread slowly by underground stems.
• Use as background planting in woodland settings with Foamflower and Bloodroot.
......................................................................................................
Other ferns to consider (sometimes in stock at Reilly's)
Korean Tassel Fern (Polystichum polyblepharum)
• Shuttlecock-shaped clump forming fern with shiny dark green bipinnate fronds in which the main axis of the frond is covered with thin brown scales.
•Grows to about 2-3' tall on an erect rhizome that retains the scars of old rachi. The croziers (or "fiddleheads") begin their unfurling like any other fern, but then they reverse direction and droop down and backward like a tassel. They stay that way for a while, then resume unfurling in the normal manner.
• Remove old fronds as they become unsightly and are replaced by fresh growth.
• Plant in light to full shade - best in dappled shade with uniform moisture. Don't let it dry out, but don't let the soil stay waterlogged either. This fern should be kept drier in winter.
Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) - native to eastern Canada.
• Erect, lacy bright green fronds 24"- 36" tall at maturity. The Lady Fern is one of the first ferns to put up fiddleheads in the spring.
• Grow in filtered sun to deep shade, in humus-rich soil with a pH of 4.5 - 6.5.
• Use along stream banks, as ground cover in moist woods or as specimens in front of boulders. Plant at about 1 foot intervals.
Marginal Shield Fern (Dryopteris marginalis ) - eastern Canada native.
• Erect fronds, 18"- 24" tall at maturity, arch to cover an area up to 4' across.
• Grow in filtered sun to deep shade. This fern, more than other ferns, benefits from cool, shady conditions. Choose a wind-protected site.
• Plant as specimens or massed as ground cover. Plant at about 4 foot intervals. Can be grown in large pots.
Regal Fern (Osmunda regalis var. specabilis) - native to eastern Canada.
• Clump-forming, 2'- 5' tall at maturity. The fronds are yellow-greem to blue-green, often with a silvery cast. Royal ferns have separate brown, flower-like pinnae for spore production.
• Grow in filtered sun to full sun in moist, humus-rich soils.
• Plant as specimens or massed as ground cover. Use as background planting in woodland settings with FoamFlower and Bloodroot. Plant at about 3 foot intervals for massing.
|
|
