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Malva sylvestris 'Purple Satin'
$8.95 ea $7.16 ea
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Magnolia x 'Vulcan'
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Schisandra chinensis 'Eastern Prince'
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Magnolia 'Elizabeth' PP#4145
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Magnolia 'Butterflies' PP#7,456
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Matteuccia struthiopteris
This Fern can grow up to 5 feet!
Widely grown in Victorian gardens, Ferns are enjoying a renaissance of popularity. Few plants impart such a light, airy, cooling effect in the landscape, or provide such a range of foliage textures for the garden. Easy to grow, even in a lightly shaded southern woodland setting, they like a light, highly organic soil with ample moisture during their growing season, particularly as the plants are becoming established. Most prefer shade or partial shade.
Our plants are of northern ancestry for extra hardiness, and perform better and better with age. Do not plant too deep; set the crowns at or just below soil level. A year-round mulch is recommended.
Ostrich Fern reaches up to 5 feet high and about 2 to 3 feet tall, and spreads over time to form large, glorious colonies. It appreciates part to full shade, but can tolerate a good amount of sun. Easy, long-lived, and ready to multiply! Zones 2-7.
| Genus | Matteuccia |
| Species | struthiopteris |
| Habit | Mound-shaped |
| Zone | 2 - 7 |
| Plant Height | 5 ft |
| Plant Width | 24 in - 3 ft |
| Item Form | 1-Quart |
| Additional Characteristics | Easy Care Plants |
| Foliage Color | Medium Green |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun, Part Shade |
| Moisture Requirements | Moist, well-drained |
| Resistance | Deer Resistance |
| Soil Tolerance | Normal, loamy |
| Uses | Border, Containers, Foliage Interest, Ornamental, Outdoor |
| Restrictions | PR, CAN, HI |
Even if your garden space is limited, find a place in the shade for Ferns. They ask for very little care, and repay you with ease of growth and breathtaking beauty. Most are easily divided after two or three years in your garden, increasing your garden beauty without costing you a dime. Best of all, they add texture like no other perennial — graceful and airy, despite their hardiness and willingness to grow.
In this article, I describe the very best Ferns for your garden this spring. And if you're looking for a particular variety to plant in mass or to dot among your shade landscape, I've got some fine recommendations. Remember, all of these Hardy Ferns are guaranteed to succeed in your garden, and if you divide them regularly, they'll "live forever"! Enjoy the ease and beauty of Hardy Ferns in every shady spot.Among the most popular and widely-grown in American gardens, Hardy Ferns have come by their reputation honestly. An easier, more dependable, and lovelier Fern would be hard to imagine. The native North American species (A. felix-femina) is an absolute must for beginning gardeners, nearly growing itself. And the Asian species (A. nipponicum) contains the magnificent Painted Fern family, with some of the most beautiful frond colors in the world. The two species complement each other nicely, thriving in very moist to wet soil (waterside plantings are stunning!) and normal to alkaline soil.
Caring For Your Hardy Ferns
In the wild, Ferns thrive in the dappled shade of the woodland, finding their feet in rotted leaves and other rich soil ingredients. Very few (Brilliant Fern is one exception) can tolerate dry soils, and all prefer a good pampering their first two years — lots of water and humus!Work the soil well and deep before you plant your Fern, raising the bed at least 3 inches above the soil level. If you have heavy soil, lighten it with rotted leaves or coarse bark.
Ferns need both moisture and excellent drainage, which can be a balancing act — a good, rich mulch works wonders. If rot is a problem, make the mulch gravel or other coarse, well-draining material.
Plant your Fern very shallowly, with the crown flush with the surrounding soil.
Keep garden debris away from the base of your Ferns if you can. Rot can be a problem when the crown of the fern sits in stagnant water — though some, such as the Tatting Fern, will happily rest in an inch or so of water on the bank of a stream or pond. If you see signs of Rot, apply a fungicide and chances are your Fern will shake it off!
If possible, water the roots and not the fronds.
If your Fern is evergreen, you might want to thin the old fronds in spring as the new ones appear. At the same time, apply a new layer of mulch for the new growing year.
Every 2 or 3 years, you can dig up and divide your Fern into several new plants to share with admiring friends or to increase your own garden's beauty!
