Ferns Create A Mass Of Color And A Great Accent Around Rocks

Ferns are a wonderful plant family for many different style gardens and also can be spotted in natural woods and rocky terrain. There are many different species, and most will do well in zones three through nine in the United States. This plant family is native to East Asia and especially in China. They are considered an evergreen and when mass planted, provide a rich and full area in a garden. Most of the varieties are easy to grow and will adapt to different soil conditions.

Many people love putting this specie in planters and containers. In the examples of landscape design section, there is a southern design with hanging ferns on a porch. The porch is a very popular place in the south to show off this specimen. You can also plant them in containers on a deck or patio for a great evergreen accent. I love designing ferns into rock gardens or a natural setting. My greenhouse has been home to this plant family for many friends throughout the colder winter months. The plants can also be put in a garage or sheltered area throughout the winter if your temperatures dip below freezing. Water them periodically and they will do fine. Outside, these species thrive in an area that contains shade. In the garden projects section, there is some information on other specimens that do well in a shade garden. Any of these specimens will compliment the ferns. Below are four different family members. Each these plants will do well in a variety of climates.

Korean

The Korean variety grows well in zones five through nine. The Korean will mature anywhere from twelve to twenty inches high and twelve to sixteen inches wide. This is one of the easiest plant to grow, and is used for its rich foliage. The Korean is one of my favorites to incorporate in a rock garden or along a rock wall. This specie can take some sun and is popular in the Pacific Northwest. The Korean loves rich and well drained soil.

Christmas

The Christmas specie is a favorite of zones three through nine. This is a great plant to grow for the beginner gardener. You can see this variety from the Rocky Mountains to Canada, as well along the Atlantic down to the Gulf Coast States. This is a wonderful specimen to plant around a series of rocks. It loves full shade but will tolerate a little sun. This variety does well in open wooded areas or right in the heart of the forests. The Christmas will grow from one to two feet tall and one to two feet wide. It will also be a nice accent if planted in a mass setting.

Arborvitae

The Arborvitae specimen is an excellent choice for zones six through nine. The dark green leaves provide a striking look in a natural setting. This is a great specimen to plant in a group around Hostas. The Arborvitae will grow to around eighteen inches high and is considered a slow grower. After two to three years, this plant will mature up to and a half to two feet in width. This is a good specimen to plant on a bank or slope. You can also use the this plant with other members of the Arborivtae family. Also a great choice with some variegated shrubs, such as a Mop Cypress or Euonymus.

Autumn

The Autumn is a fern that has different colors throughout the year. When the Autumn has new growth, the leaves appear with some pink tones, and as the plant matures, the fronds or leaves will turn a deep green. This plant will mature up to thirty inches tall and around sixteen to thirty inches wide. The unique aspect of this variety is when the first frost arrives. The leaves turn a bronze color that will accent other fall trees and shrubs. This plant is great to plant with other evergreens and will work well in rock gardens and around other outdoor features.

The four varieties above are just a small fraction of this plant family. One highlight if you visit or live near wooded or mountainous area, is to see native specimens throughout a hiking trail. There are native ferns that line the trails of Mount Mitchell in North Carolina. Mount Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi in the United States.

Native

Many people today have this plant family indoors as a house plant. The Boston, Birds Nest, Iris, False Hare's-Foot, Holly, and Lace are just a few assortments for your indoor containers. I hope this article has given you some ideas for planting ferns in a shaded garden, as well as rock gardens, wooded areas and natural settings.