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Fabulous Ferns

Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-1209 -- More Projects » (Continued from Page 1)
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Figure I

  • In its native land, the Australian tree fern (figure I) can grow up to 20 feet tall. In a container on James' patio, it grows to only about six feet or so before the first frost.

  • The staghorn fern, so named because its fronds look more like antlers than traditional ferns, is fun to grow because it's epiphytic rather than terrestrial, meaning it doesn't need soil. Instead, it's often mounted on a piece of wood and packed with sphagnum peat moss.

    One thing staghorn ferns do need, however, is plenty of humidity. So if you're growing them indoors, mist them often, and outdoors spray them frequently with water from the hose.

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    Figure J

  • The bird's-nest fern (figure J) gets its name from the way the leaves spread from the crown to form a nest. It makes a great houseplant, but you have to mist it at least every day.
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    Figure K

  • Though not actually a fern, the asparagus fern (figure K) nevertheless gets its name from its fernlike foliage and is indeed related to asparagus the vegetable. It makes a delightful container plant.
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    Figure L

  • The Boston fern (figure L) is by far and away the most popular fern and one of the most popular houseplants ever. Native to Florida, it prefers moist soil but doesn't take well to overwatering. Boston ferns do well outside in the shade, provided temperatures are above 50 degrees F.
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    Figure M

  • The macho fern (figure M) has a coarse texture, but it looks great in containers.

    Care and culture

    When given the proper conditions, many ferns are easy to grow. Nearly all of the so-called hardy ferns are native and will thrive all the way to USDA Zone 3.

    Ferns want a fairly rich but loose-and-well-drained soil, a pH that's slightly acidic, and shade throughout the day--although a little morning sun is fine. They simply will not grow well in heavy soils, and although they like plenty of moisture, they'll drown if the soil stays wet. So before planting it's best to amend the soil with leaf mold, which you can sometimes buy in a bag or make yourself by shredding and composting fallen leaves for a few months.

    As for pH, use a simple, inexpensive pH test kit to determine whether your soil is acidic or alkaline. If it's alkaline, you can acidify it by mixing two tablespoons of white vinegar in a quart of water and dousing the soil.

    A curious thing about ferns: they can sometimes cross-fertilize to form new hybrids.

    • Also in this Episode
    Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-1209
    •Gardening Tips and Tricks
    •Fabulous Ferns
    •Training Your Dog Not to Garden
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