Growing Native Ferns
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gardensngoats
Posted: Mar-23-2005 at 6:41am Hi,
I'm curious about growing native ferns on our property in Ferndale. We don't have much shade and I wonder if they'd do well. Do we get enough shade in the cloudy days or do ferns need shade all day, every day? And if the ferns aren't in shade and we have a hot summer like last would they suffer greatly, even die? Thanks!
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Mar-23-2005 at 8:46am
Our native sword fern will grow in full sun as long as you don't yank them out of shade and into full sun. Acclimatise them slowly to full sun and they will do fine. They don't grow as tall in the sun. Other ferns will do ok with morning sun and afternoon shade. North side of buildings will give you full shade so don't forget about those areas.
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-23-2005 at 1:36pm would you believe that there is more than one ferndale in the us? are you in washington, california or michigan?
welcome to rainy side.
Red Hare
Location: Oregon coast
Posted: Mar-23-2005 at 2:34pm
If I lived in a place called Ferndale, I'd definitely want to grow some ferns! Can you plant some trees, to start growing a shady, happy place for ferns? (And for hostas, tiarellas, epimediums, hellebores....all those other shade-loving delights)
gardensngoats
Posted: Mar-23-2005 at 3:33pm
Hello to all who have replied to my inquiry already.
Thanks so much for your advice!!! Hope to hear from more people...
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-23-2005 at 4:13pm
except for our native sword fern, all other ferns will need some shade.
your options are to follow red hare's suggestion; plant trees so you can eventually grow more ferns and all the other delightful shade dwellers. or you can embrace your sunny site and plant sun-loving plants instead.
at plant nerd night [yes, this is a real event], jim metcalfe, honeyhill farms, said this wonderful gem, 'find plants that will grow for you and learn to love them.' truer words were never spoken.
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Mar-23-2005 at 4:38pm
If you have very well drained soil another native will take full sun—Cystopteris fragilis or Fragile fern can be grown. AND another native Adiantum aleuticum or Maidenhair fern, that I so enjoy, grows in full sun.
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-24-2005 at 10:26am
i forgot about Cystopteris fragilis, debbie. thanks for the reminder. there is another small fern grown in sun in the rock garden beds at berry botanic garden. i'll try to find out which one it is.
do you grow maidenhair fern in full sun? boy, if i try that, it fries. i wonder if this is an example of the subtle difference between oregon and washington. you do get more cloudy days than us and maybe it's enough to make a difference. i'd bet that those living on the coast can plant some shade-loving ferns in sunny sites, too, and get away with it. i know i often see plants i have to grow in shade grown in full sun at the coast and they always look great.
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Mar-24-2005 at 10:59am
Hi Lisa, Well it didn't start out in full sun, I planted it in partial shade. Two years ago they logged next door it threw it into full sun and it is doing just fine. It could be the difference between Portland and Seattle, but last year we had very few cloudy days here and it didn't seem to be a problem for them. Although I must add I didn't pay that much attention to them last year, so I could be wrong. So I am not sure what to say. Until I grew mine in full sun I thought they were only for shade. I used to think that with the swordfern also. They do fry if not acclimated to full sun though.
Fern
Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills
Posted: Mar-25-2005 at 7:08am
I know it's not native to here [native to Japan and China] but I like the Autumn fern. It's evergreen, 1-2 ft tall, with reddish bronze new foliage. It can take some sun, doesn't mind heat and doesn't need as much moisture as some ferns. If it does need water it really lets you know by wilting but it does come back when you water it. I agree about the sword fern, it is the easiest one for sun and drought
Fern
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-25-2005 at 9:17am
I agree with Lisa. My sword and maidenhair fern prefer a bit more shade too. I'm on Portlands' east side and I do get a bit more wind. Although, I do have a sword fern in full sun. It's doing okay but definitely not as big as the ones in shade. That's interesting, Debbie. It must have acclimated to full sun. Does it get more water now?
I second Lisa's recommendation to plant trees if you really want ferns!
Jeanne
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-25-2005 at 10:29am
actually, jeanne, you are thirding [is that a word] red hare's recommendation to plant trees.
Wanda
Location: Puget Sound corridor
Posted: Mar-25-2005 at 11:00am
I wanted to provide you with a link to Fancy Fronds Nursery in Goldbar, Washington (relax, they do mail order, you don't have to drive all the way up there). On her list of ferns she calls out the cultural requirements (SS=some sun) and there are lots of ferns listed that can take some sun. Anyway, it's a happy site to read through when you've got some time and, who knows, you might just find a toughie in the mix that the rest of us don't know about.
Good luck!
-Wanda
Phlox
Location: Washington, Southwestern
Posted: Mar-27-2005 at 1:35pm
Good link Wanda, I love ferns and have been aquiring more myself.
I have also been successful growing maidenhair in the sun and its true, they don't get as large. Another one I have had growing well for quite a few years in the sun is the Dear fern (Blechnum spicant). When I started growing them, I didn't know they we're supposed to be in the shade. I now have them in just about every part of my yard and they all do well.
They have a more leathery feel to them and are quite sturdy.
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-27-2005 at 6:17pm
i love your typo, phlox. deer fern are one of my favorite ferns and i think i'm going to call them my 'dear' ferns from now on.
i haven't tried them in full sun although some receive afternoon sun and do fine. all of mine are much more drought resistent than expected.
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-28-2005 at 8:24am
Some ferns do okay in the full sun but why fight it? Plant some trees to give the ferns a break! Isn't it better to give a plant the conditions it likes or put the appropriate plant in the appropriate place?
Jeanne
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