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 Available from Reilly's Country Gardens
Clump-forming Ferns for the Shade Garden
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.
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.
Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) - native to eastern Canada.
• Clump-forming, 3'-5' tall at maturity, having stately, erect fronds.
• Grow in filtered sun to deep shade in average, moist soils. Tolerates full sun and some wind if kept wet.
• Plant as specimens or massed as ground cover. Plant at about 2 foot intervals for massing.
• Use at water edges and in swampy locations.
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.
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.
• Good ground cover for slopes and wet areas.
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.
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