Comments on: Fern Gardens & Stumperies

By: Heidi

Heidi — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 07:18:52 +0000

I use sword ferns and deer ferns in my perennial garden. I find adding coir, humous or leaf mold and some rotten wood makes the ferns grow fairly large. I give them partial shade in a moderately moist area.

By: habitatdana

habitatdana — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 16:15:19 +0000

In reply to Sierra W.

Basically, Ferns need moist conditions to propagate. Spores are released mid to late summer. More info can be found here for Sword Ferns: https://courses.washington.edu/esrm412/protocols/POMU.pdf and here for Deer Fern: https://courses.washington.edu/esrm412/protocols/BLSP.pdf

By: Sierra W

Sierra W — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 07:20:19 +0000

I would love to know how I could encourage propagation of my Western Swordsfern and deer fern, as well as others. Also, the best time of year to spot the spores.

By: habitatdana

habitatdana — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 16:40:21 +0000

In reply to Will Marsh. Sword Ferns are generally the easiest to transplant and are adaptable to many situations. Deer Fern is next easiest. In sunnier sites, they need a bit more water. Although needs vary, all ferns need a fair bit of water, at least during their propagation phase. Although Lady Fern is beautiful, it is very prolific. I frequently have to weed it out of other plants at the nursery. Maidenhair Fern does best in a more humid environment next to a waterfall, or fountain! Good Luck!

By: Will Marsh

Will Marsh — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 04:12:19 +0000

Excellent. Very helpful. I'm building a fern-rich garden on our property here on the east coast of Vancouver Island. The land is hilly, forested sand dunes (called fossil dunes). Soil is sandy, dry, acidic, with mosses, striped wintergreen, Indian pipe in pockets. Sword ferns do well near the house which is serviced by a spray irrigation system, but have to transplanted from less sandy sites. I truly love the character of these plants. Any advice for siting, transplanting, and nurturing? island