Recently my family and I went camping with my sister and her family in the Poconos. We enjoyed fun-filled day trips from our base camp to Camelbeach and Bushkill Falls. At Camelback ski resort, where Camelbeach was located, they had a ski lift going up the side of the mountain transporting people to see the breathtaking views; more adventurous people, like my sister’s family, were being taken up the mountain for a zip line adventure.
While riding up the ski lift and observing the fauna and flora—and counting the number of flip flops that had been dropped (58)—I noticed that there were several huge colonies of ferns growing on the mountain slope in fairly exposed locations. And I noticed at Bushkill Falls, while walking within the deep ravines, there were colonies of ferns growing on exposed rock surfaces of cliffs. Both locations had totally different growing conditions but all the ferns had wild lush green growth. Ferns have such a unique quality that is so well displayed in nature and when planted properly can be copied in the garden to achieve a great natural effect.
Ferns can have numerous uses in landscaping. They can portray the feeling of wilderness such as the Poconos, in which everything that is natural. Ferns can also be used to bring a feeling of the wild into any part of the garden where they are planted. They may be used to suggest streams and ravines simply by excavating a shallow depression, following a downward slope and planting on either side of the depression. Planting ferns with trees can create the impression of mountain flora by combining them with large rocks and native herbaceous plant material.
Ferns planted in the garden should be located in part to full shade and rich with well-drained soil. Ferns can reach 12 inches to 6 feet tall, depending on the type and growing conditions. Ferns prefer rich, humus-filled soil. Mix compost into planting holes and cover them annually with two inches of composted leaves or other organic mulch to keep them fed and moistened. Ferns spread by underground rhizomes and can establish large colonies in time, such as the one at Camelback. Ferns are low maintenance and appear in an incredible array of textures and colors. The following are some of my favorite varieties that can be planted in your garden.
Onoclea sensibilis, or the sensitive fern, is a free running coarse-textured, medium to large-sized fern. The name comes from the observation by early American settlers saw that it was very sensitive to frost; the fronds would die quickly when first touched by it. Sensitive fern spreads in moist soil and stays low to the ground, usually not more than 12-18 inches in height.
Osmunda regalis, or royal fern, is tall, deciduous and typically grows in clumps to 2-3 feet tall, but with constant moisture can reach 6 feet in height. Broad fronds have large, well-separated leaflets, which give this fern an almost pea-family appearance. These ferns are truly regal under the proper garden conditions and make great tall accents for the water or bog garden.
The common name of Polystichum acrostichoides, or Christmas fern, derives from its evergreen nature. It is a robust, leathery fern which has glossy, green fronds that grow in clusters from a crownless rootstock that range from 1-2 feet in length. It is a clumping fern and does not form a continuous ground covering carpet the way some ferns do.
Adiantum pedatum, or northern maidenhair fern, is a deciduous, clump-forming, native fern which will grow 1.5 to 2 feet tall and is most frequently found on rich wooded slopes, ravine bottoms and damp shady woods. This fern has finely-textured, somewhat frilly fronds which have curved stalks and wiry stems that are reddish-brown to black. Maidenhair fern can be planted in shady rock crevices or used as groundcover in a moist spot such as beside a water feature.
Adding ferns to your garden will make it a natural and peaceful space designed for an air of relaxation and being one with nature. Or maybe it’s because ferns are often associated with the coolness of mountain trails and spring feed streams. Whatever the case, ferns are easy to grow and enjoy once their growing conditions are met, so give it a try.
“Great trees are good for nothing but shade.” —George Herbert, Outlandish Proverbs (1640)
Craig Dupée is a garden-design consultant. He lives in Ewing with his wife and daughters. Send him your email questions at hort1014u@aol.com.
