When I was a child growing up in Alaska, my eldest niece and inseperable partner in crime, Alison and I often hiked the trails in the mountains surrounding our valley noticing the flora and sometimes fauna. There was one large clearing covered in huge ferns (Athyrium felix-femina I think) that we particularly loved as it was just about the lushest thing that we'd ever seen! On a couple of occasions, we brought a few ferns back with us for my Sister to plant in her garden where they still thrive. Amazing considering we only used our hands to dig them. (There once was a time when children were allowed to get dirty.)
I've loved ferns since then and am still amazed by their variety and versatility. From a few inches high to taller than I; evergreen and herbacious; in full sun or the darkest shade, ferns seem to thrive. Fragile -looking but tough as nails, most are quite drought tolerant and compete well with most plant thugs.
Many people exclaim, "That's a FERN?! when they see this one.
I don't know the names of all of these off the top of my head but if you're interested, ask and I'll hunt them down for you.
I know that our native sword fern is ubiquitous but I love it !
The fragrance of cut or bruised fronds is so woodsy and fresh.
An east coast native that I found at Big Dipper Farm a few years ago. 
Five inches tall.
Eight feet tall.
Foliage Follow Up is hosted by the wonderful Pam Penick. Make sure you head on over to Digging to see lots of gorgeous garden foliage!
Oh, you have some really amazing ferns, so many different forms! I love ferns too, especially our ubiquitous native sword fern. Is that east coast native a sensitive fern? I used to have a lot of that in my Massachusetts garden. It's hardy from the roots and spreads easily, but crumples at the first sign of frost.
ReplyDeleteYes it is a sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis.) Saw it at Big Dipper where they grow a lot of interesting ferns and thought it was the bees knees. When visiting relatives in Vermont a couple of years ago, I saw it everywhere. What brought you all the way out west?
DeleteYour photo #5311 (the blue fern, 6th photo up from the bottom)...does that make it though the winter for you? (assuming it's planted in the ground). I had mine up and die it's first winter...but you say the word "yes" and I'm going to try it again...
ReplyDeleteIt's supposed to be hardy to zone 8 but I pull it in. I planted in the ground three years ago before that record- breaking, phormium-killing winter & it croaked. Not reliably hardy but it wouldn't take up too much space in the shade pavillion and isn't really fussy about light. I'm sure Cistus could find one for you.
DeleteGreat selection of ferns, great photos. We have ostrich fern, lady fern and cinamon fern (not sure about the last one). They are definitely a must-have for a shady garden.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Sounds like you have some lovely garden ferniture, too!
DeleteThere seem to be many kinds of ferns! I didn't know that they're so many...
ReplyDeleteBecause we have so many wonderful nurseries in this region, like Fancy Fronds, which specializes in ferns, it's been fun and easy to find a wide variety!
DeleteFernalicious! I've got my eye on the same one as Dangergarden. I love anything dusty grey or chartreuse.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beauty & I've seen them in a couple of nurseries here and know that Cistus usually has them as well.
DeleteThose are delectable ferns! as you know I definitely have a soft spot for them!!! and the western sword fern is one of the best in my opinion. While incredibly common, it mixes in amongst subtropicals soo well! I'm a champion of the fern cause.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked them! I still remember the first time I came to the Seattle area for a visit in the winter and saw beautiful evergreen sword ferns. I couldn't believe it. To me they looked like the boston fern we had as a houseplant and here it was, not only growing in the ground but green in the winter. The PNW is pretty marvelous!
DeleteLooks like you have a thing for Asplenium scolopendrium, one of my favourites as well! As shady characters alike, its wonderful when you can find some that aren't the run of the mill Matteucia and the like! I love Athyrium 'Victoriae' and A. 'Dre's Daggars' with the wonderful criss crossed pinnae as the plant matures! The only one I hesitate at is Onoclea sensibilis - the dreaded sensitive fern, that for me ran like a cheap..... you get the idea. Does it behave itself for you?
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Asplenium scolopendrium is too wonderful for words in my book! My garden is so crowded that Onoclea sensibilis has to compete with a lot of other plants. It hasn't spread at all in the 5 years I've had it.
DeleteStreaming The Grand from your blog was easy as can be. Excitedly I tuned in at 7:00 and heard music & then realized that I had forgotten the time difference - What an idiot! Anyway, next Monday, I'll listen at the correct time. Sorry to have missed your show.
My Deinanthe caerulea is blooming & makes me think of your blog! I got the thing a few years ago at a local nursery not knowing anything about it except that the flowers looked really cool and it was in the shade section. Sure glad I found it!