would macho fern be a good choice with morning sun, afternoon shade? your suggestions are welcome. would prefer a large fern, something wispy will get lost.
need suggestion for fern to grow around tree
I have a macho fern (Oh, what an appropriate name that is) in a large pot. It's on the north side of my house so it gets only reflected light. I put it in a pot because I didn't think it would make it through the winter here. It never occurred to me to put it in the ground. That's a really interesting idea.
I just looked it up on plant files and it says the minimum temp is 25 F. It frequently goes below 25 here, but it doesn't stay there long. On the plant files somebody in Zone 8b said they were going to plant it in the ground. I don't know. Maybe if it had a wall for protection from the north wind.
I just noticed you are in 9b. I didn't know where Richmond was. Is that the same zone as Houston? I grew up there and I remember some very cold winters.
This message was edited Oct 27, 2005 6:55 PM
Z9a. yes I'm sw of houston. thanks for the info. I'm going to be looking for macho fern at the swap this saturday.
I wonder if it would survive in the ground up here in Fredericksburg? All of the really good shady spots where I could put it are not close to a wall for protection. The one I have is really huge and I would hate to loose it. It completely fills a 14 or 16 inch pot.
could you divide (since your pot is full) and put a division inground?
Might be worth a try. My neighbor did say she wanted some anyway. It might look healthier if it had some fresh dirt and room to grow.
BTW do you know anything about cinnamon fern. I've been trying to find some. No luck. Do you know if that would be hardy here?
Interesting discussion! I really like ferns but have had no luck with them here. Of course, my failed attempts were several years ago before I had adequate shade. Hardiness is also a concern - I could tolerate some winter die-back if the variety would come back from the roots. Time to go searching..........
How about Sword Fern? Mine made it through the summer in a somewhat shady location. It gets direct afternoon sun for a while, but mostly shade. They are a nice large size with large fronds. If you can't find a pic, I can take one. I just cut back some of the longer pieces because I neglected them towards the end of the summer and they didn't look their best. I just put them in in May, I think, so we haven't done winter yet, but I hopeful.
Edited to say that I need to check and see exactly which Sword Fern I have since I noticed that Macho is a Sword Fern.
This message was edited Oct 28, 2005 12:48 PM
I love ferns. I have a couple of small ones growing as indoor plants, planted in AV pots. Those are wonderful for ferns! The rest are planted outside.
I have bought 5-6 unusual ferns on my trips to Dallas. They have a nursery there, Another Time & Place, on Henderson, that is wonderful, small nursery and trendy garden art. I planted those outside in full shade, but with this year's heat they looked horrid. I will really be surprised if they come back. Bears Britches, Santa Rosa, Heart fern, to name a few.
Lots of people grow ferns outdoors in my area. I planted a selaginella in a corner, which is completely protected by philodendron sellum and that has become a beautiful "mess of ferns". Some die back and return and some are evergreen and survive just fine. My jap. painted ferns dies and comes back bigger every year. My button fern, ribbon fern and leatherleaf fern, get a little ratty but make it fine thru the winter.
I would say all of you in z8a and b should make it OK, with a watchful eye, lots of shade and lots of moisture.
Silverfluter, I hear a lot about cinnamon fern but don't own one or have ever seen one at a nursery, just catalogs. Maybe they're a cooler climate fern.
Sheila, I think macho is also called sword fern. I just need a "thuggish" kinda fern for this ugly spot.
This message was edited Oct 28, 2005 8:36 PM
Nery, how about this one?
yeah, that would work, what is it? I can't believe your caladiums still look so good. mine are gone already.
Speaking of caladiums, what kind of care would they need in Fredericksburg? Some people I know say they dig them and store them and some say they throw them away and buy new ones each spring. I would rather leave them in the ground. Is that going to work here?
I also need to know what would look good with holly ferns besides caladiums? This spot I need to plant is on the south side of the house, but it gets pecan tree shade in the mornings till about 10 and then oak tree shade from about 2 on.
I will try to post a picture tomorrow.
Nery, it is just your average wood fern but it multiples great and it's nice and tall. (By the way, that picture was taken a couple of months ago so I only have a few caladiums left. Here is a close up pic. How much of the fern do you need? Email me about that. Also, what about a holly fern?
Mary Lee,
I find that it is too much trouble to dig and store caladium bulbs. I just buy new ones every year. I have had some that come back from year to year if they didn't rot over the winter or if the squirrels didn't get to them.
How about hostas with your holly fern? Or, for an annual, impatients, like in the picture above? Or a low growing ground cover that will accentuate the holly?
Nery,
Here is a picture I just took of some of my holly. This is about 4 years old and it is really a presence in my garden (even if it is a little overrun this year). :-)
This message was edited Oct 29, 2005 7:25 AM
Wow how big is that holy fern? It looks huge.
I am supposed to get some white caladiums at an RU in 2 weeks from dStartz. Do I store these in sawdust in the greenhouse or something? What temp are they supposed to be at over the winter?
I have had much luck with impatience, but a ground cover of some kind would be great. What about pigeon berry? I have two kinds, one has red berries and is about 10 inches tall right now. Can't remember the name but it looks like it would be happy there.
Hostas are one of my favorite plants, but the snails like most of them as much as I do. I do have Francee hosta and for some reason the snails haven't found them very tasty atleast not this year. More hostas would really be exciting if I can find another type for variety that would be hardy here. I garden organically, because it's more fun, so poisons are not an option. I know beer is a very effective bait, but I want to plant the varieties that are least tasty to the snails. This bed is about 3 x 8 feet. What would be a good choice?
I thought this bed was going to be a real challenge to plant, but it's beginning to look like it might be fun.
thanks for your help!
I
Should I be posting these questions in the Curb appeal forum or stay here in the Tx Gardening forum? I have some pictures ready to post, so I want to be sure to put them in the right place.
OK I decided to put it in the curb appeal forum.
This message was edited Oct 29, 2005 8:46 PM
terry, that holly fern would work great, thanks. I would like some please. While I don't know when I'll be in big D, maybe I can meet ya & pick a division then?
Mary Lee,
I'm sorry I'm just checking in and saw your questions. Glad you put them somewhere you will get more traffic!
Nery,
Although I'm not up to digging something that big yet, I might be able to talk John into doing it for me next weekend. If so, I'll send it to you. If not, we'll get together when you are in town.
Thanks Terri. But please, put this on your low, low, low priority list. FYI, it's not looking like I'll be going to Dallas before T/giving. Sometimes DH gets very short notice, but so far, not going in Nov.