Fond of Fronds

Hopefully this works with the site's ethos .. the intent is a recurring thread for fern lovers. It previously led a pretty quiet life on GW. I'd like to re-use its then-introduction:

A thread for all fern aficionados to relive Pteridomania and find Jurassic
sights, unfurling curves, verdant green and perhaps some frizzy hair dos. At
least a place with this initial post, but the more the merrier. I would love to
see more pictures of ferns and descriptions of how they grow.

To kick off, I expect to post some pictures of unfurling fronds in a few weeks time, but so far things are still very early stage. A few weeks ago the local nursery offered some smallish/affordable ferns. It was a bit unusual for me to buy them so early, but after repotting them they're doing quite well in the conservatory and racing ahead. I have some hope this good start will translate to good settling in the soil later on. Below are the four:

1) Polystichum tsus-simense (Korean rock fern). This does quite well on my chalky clay, hence some more.



2) Doodia media. This previously died with a whisper. I think it was the slugs and snails that finished it off. For now my plan is to keep it in a pot.



Blechnum spicant. On my clayy/chalky soil Dryopteris, Asplenium, Polypodium, Polystichums, Cyrtomium, Athyrium and some Adiantum seem to do quite well. For Blechnum I have to work really hard, but I love the freshness and texture of this fern.



Woodwardia fimbriata (Giant Chain Fern). Not sure where I'm going to fit this in. The aim is to create a jurassic look with evergreen and/or big-leaved plants. Fatsia japonica is one of them, and I'll be trying Astilboides tabularis.



Please add your plans, thoughts, ferns and pictures

 

My Woodwardia fimbriata died .
I have a very dry garden (not at the moment!) and even drought tolerant ferns have a hard time getting established. But I love ferns and persist!

Polystichum setiferum 'Herrenhausen' looking very exciting this week ❤️



And a new frond on my Polystichum tsussimense, yesterday.

 

Establishing is the key @LG_. In the past I've been sometimes too hasty; with dry summers a new fern may need two years of mollycoddling in my garden. Then again, some ferns outside the families I mentioned above seem to be just snail fodder. I've had no luck with Coniogramme and Rumohra at all. That Polystichum setiferum Herrenhausen is a picture of balled up strength and potential. They do very well for me, and get bigger every year. Two favourites with dark bristly stems are Dryopteris wallichiana and atrata. They still haven't settled like the Polystichums did, so I'm eager to see what this year brings for them.

 

Thanks for opening this thread, @micearguers ! Great pics. Here's my contribution, with 3 emerging fronds taken this morning (glorious Spring weather here in Brittany).
Cyrtomium falcatum


Dryopteris erythrosora var. prolifica



Coniogramme intermedia

 

Nothing much happening here yet but hope to be able to post pictures of the unusual suspects if they've survived. Very mild winter here as @LG_ will confirm so there's hope for my ferns if not the planet

 

That Cyrtomium falcatum fiddlehead close-up is marvellous @Papi Jo , all prepared and ready to unroll from its fuzzy nest. It looks to have a personality too. Mine are also coming up fast now, I'll have a close look tomorrow - at all the ferns. Such an exciting time now for ferns!

 

@Papi Jo Stunning knuckles of the ferns
(AKA bertrand-mabel in GW)

 

I took this photo last summer but thought it might amuse - Geraniums are fond of fronds too!

Polystichum setiferum and Geranium 'Anne Folkard'

 

Dicksonia Antarctica showing signs of fronds emerging!

 

I'm glad that I didn't dump my 'dead' painted lady because it wasn't. Three not particularly photogenic fronds emerging

 

@Plantminded that's like a Romantic period painting of two entwined lovers. I expect they'll wake from their winterly slumber and find each other again.

 

The Geranium’s already on the move @micearguers, I was thinking of renaming it G. ‘Sunlounger’, may be not quite as romantic!

 

I must get round to taking annual picture of my ferns.
Dicksonia antarctica, only small but totally undamaged.
Dicksonia squarrosa, looking decidedly ropey
Lophosoria quadripinnata, needs to go in the ground, doesn't like the bucket
Woodwardia fimbriata, needs planting as well
Ptisana, some sort of marratia, absolute slug magnet
Plus a host of asplenium and dryopteris

 

Any recommendations for ferns in sun for most of the day, soil is fairly moisture retentive? I’ve always loved the look of Osmunda regalis but read conflicting advice as to whether it will tolerate sun?

 

@Butterfly6 most of my ferns are in shade or half-shade but it's an interesting question so I'll try and dare comment. First off, I've seen Osmunda regalis in boggy spots where it got a lot of sunshine. I'm very certain it tolerates sun as long as it has wet feet. I have it myself in a patio pot where it always sits as if in a miny-pond (water-logged). It can get quite large if it's happy, but will take its time to do so. There is an Osmunda regalis in the Cambridge botanical garden that's about a hundred years old or so with magnificent woody structures from which the fronds emerge.

Then, in 'The plant lover's guide to ferns' these are recommended: Asplenium trichomanes, Athyrium filix-femina, Blechnum pennna-marina, Ceterach officinarum, Cheilantes ssp., Dennstaedia punctilobula, Dryopteris affinis, Dryopteris complexa with the caveat "many will not take hot midday sun and require regular watering".

If your spot is sheltered, south-facing and has no shade when the sun rises highest (or is otherwise a heat sink) then it may be challenging. If that's not the case, your spot is moisture retentive and does not dry out over summer (or is easily remoisturised without needing excessive watering) then I think you can try quite a few species, even beyond the list above; for example Dryopteris, Asplenium and Athyrium families and maybe Blechnum. It's generally a good idea to give extra care in the first two years of planting, this will apply even more to a sunny spot. Is it exposed, seeing you're on a hillside? Your heavy loam soil sounds great!