| DISTINCTIVE FERNS FOR YOUR HOSTA GARDEN By Betty Peterson Ferns and hostas are natural companions. They share the same cultural requirements. The delicate shapes of fern fronds compliment the more substantial look of hosta leaves. Their colors never clash. But if the ostrich ferns you dug from your neighbor's yard threaten to engulf your choicest hostas (there's a reason he had so many to share), you may want to consider some better-behaved members of the fern family. Adiantum pedatum - Northern Maidenhair Fern, 24 inches, MN native. This is the most beautiful of our native ferns. It multiplies into nice clumps, but is never invasive. Adiantum venustum - Himalayan Maidenhair Fern, 8 inches, zone 5, evergreen, forms large colonies. My favorite fern. It causes more comments than any other plant in my garden. It is especially lovely by mid-season. The new fronds are a spring green while the first fronds have matured to a darker green. It requires a little extra care, but is well worth the effort. I cover the plants with a thick layer of oak leaves in the fall. When I uncover them in the spring, the leaves are still green, but last year's fronds will soon die as the new ones emerge. I cut off the old fronds in early spring rather than in the fall (when it would be easier) because they store food reserves in their leaves rather than in the roots. Athyrium filix-femina 'Victoriae' - Victoria's Lady Fern, 24 inches. A fern to highlight in a special spot. The narrow pinnae form criss-crosses for a dramatic effect. Athyrium niponicum var. 'Pictum' - Japanese Painted Fern, varies from 8 to 24 inches. Most ferns are started from spores so this one can vary a great deal. It is worth seeking out good forms. I found a selection with intense red coloration at Home Depot. Athyrium pynocarpon - Glade Fern, 40 inches, rare MN native. I don't know why this fern is not more readily available. It looks a lot like a Boston Fern. When the sterile early fronds start to look a little tired in late July, it sends up perky fertile fronds which remain attractive until hard frost. Both the sterile and fertile fronds are a very deep green in color. It may sometimes by listed as Diplazium pynocarpon. A favorite. Dryopteris filix-mas 'Crispa-Cristata' - Male Fern, 24 inches. There are numerous cultivars of the Male Fern. This is a heavily ruffled form. Dryopteris filix-mas 'Linearis' - Many Fingered Male Fern, 24 inches. This fern has a very wispy look. Dryopteris goldiana - Goldie's Fern, up to 60 inches, rare MN native. This is a good fern to put with your largest hostas. It is a slow grower. Gymnocarpium dryopteris - Oak Fern, 8 inches, MN native, forms colonies. The plumose form is especially attractive. Osmunda regalis - Royal Fern, 48 inches, MN native. The Royal Fern doesn't look much like a fern at all. Its fronds resemble the leaves of a locust tree. A crested form is sometimes available. Polystichum braunii - Braun's Holly Fern, 30 inches, rare MN native. The fronds are leathery and lustrous. New growth in the spring resembles hairy brown caterpillars. There are many other Polystichums available but most of them are listed as zone 6. Some invasive ferns you may wish to avoid include Cystopteris bulbifera (Bulbet Fern), Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern), and Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive Fern). Sources: Fancy Fronds Plant Delights Nursery Roslyn Nursery P.O. Box 1090 9241 Saul's Road 211 Burrs Lane Gold Bar, WA 98251 Raleigh, NC 27603 Dix Hills, NY 11746 360-793-1472 919-772-4794 631-643-9347 no catalog catalog 10 stamps or a box of chocolates catalog $3 www.francyfronds.com www.plantdelights.com www.roslynnursery.com Heronswood Nursery Rice Creek Nursery We-Du Nurseries 7530 NE 288th St. 11506 Highway 65 2055 Polyspout Road Kingston, WA 98346 Minneapolis, MN 55434 Marion, NC 28752-7349 360-297-4172 763-754-8090 828-738-8300 catalog $5 No catalog catalog $3 www.heronswood.com www.ricecreekgardens.com www.we-du.com Reprinted from the October 2002 �The Hostaphile� (Minnesota Hosta Society Newsletter) |