Mysterious openwork fronds growing in the depths of the forest have always become characters in various legends, mystical stories and fairy tales.
A long time ago, a fern settled in the garden. Planting and caring for it require certain conditions of placement and moisture, otherwise the forest dweller is not picky.
Many nationalities still believe that once a year on the night of Ivan Kupala, an amazing flower blooms, bringing happiness to those who see it, or pointing out where the treasure is buried.
Alas, the lover of thick thickets does not bloom.
Due to their ability to reproduce by spores, the famous botanist Carl Linnaeus nicknamed ferns secretagogous plants.
Where are ferns found in nature?
They live in shady forests at the foot of tree trunks.
Some grow like epiphytes on the branches of large giants, adapt to cling to rock ledges, prefer wet banks of rivers and lakes, swamp hummocks, and even manage to perch on the walls of city buildings.
Ferns live everywhere, but their greatest diversity is in the humid tropics and subtropics.
However, there are many species that grow in temperate climates. Many of them are used in cultural cultivation. Among gardeners they are known under the common name - garden fern.
Botanical portrait
The oldest plants on the planet, ferns are extremely diverse and differ in their shapes, sizes, structural features and life cycle.
They don't have true leaves. What everyone calls leaves is more correctly called flat branches, or fronds, which are a whole system of pagons located in the same plane.
There are no flowers; they reproduce by spores or vegetatively - using fragments of rhizomes, fronds, buds, aphlebia (leaf-like processes at the base of the frond) and other methods, in particular by sexual reproduction in some varieties.
The spores, which are mistaken for fern seeds, are usually located on the underside of the frond.
Types of ferns grown in the garden
In temperate latitudes, plants with short stems buried in the soil are common. Fronds forming from the buds of the rhizome unfold above the ground surface.
They are characterized by apical growth, and their main purpose is sporulation and photosynthesis.
The following garden species most readily take root in shady areas of the middle zone:
Ostrich fern (Matteucia struthiopteris)
A graceful plant with aerial fronds one and a half meters high and approximately 1 m in circumference of the bush. It easily adapts to any conditions, is not picky about the composition of the soil, and is resistant to cold.
Its only whim is high soil moisture.
It prefers shade, in an open place it will grow shorter, and the fronds will be much lighter than those of the ostrich bird grown under the canopy of trees.
In August, sporophylls form in the center of the rosette - brown, feathery and leathery.
Adiantum pedatum
An extremely frost-resistant species, it is not afraid of temperatures of 35 degrees below zero. It loves moisture, but does not tolerate stagnant water.
The bush is round, with pinnately dissected fronds of light emerald color, cut along the edges, and bend in an arc.
Female stumpweed (Athyrium filix-femina)
An unpretentious species that will tolerate even stagnant water.
Many varieties have been bred that are distinguished by their decorative properties; flower growers especially love LadyinRed - with red petioles and openwork dissected fronds.
However, at the end of summer or beginning of autumn, after sporulation, they turn brown and look undecorative.
Japanese stumpweed (Athyrium niponicum)
Well suited for growing in the middle zone, it loves moist, nutritious forest soil and shade, and copes with low winter temperatures.
Beautiful varieties of Metallica and Ursula's Red are known, which have fronds with a silver tint and purple veins.
Royal Osmunda (Osmunda regalis)
One of the most spectacular ferns with large, often almost two-meter leaves.
It is quite frost-resistant, but gardeners with experience in growing it still advise mulching the soil around it.
Osmunda requires regular watering; its spores, like ostrich, quickly lose their viability; they must be sown only when freshly collected.
Bracken Fern (Pteridium aguillinum)
It is distinguished by graceful double- and triple-pinnate fronds on long petioles, rigid, triangular-ovate in shape.
Bracken is characterized by rapid growth, which turns into a disorderly cover.
The peculiarity of the plant is that its spore sacs are hidden in the folded edges of the leaves, and not like other ferns - simply attached to the underside. Used for food and in folk medicine.
Phyllitis sclopendrium
The popular synonym is “deer tongue.” It has fronds without dissection, which makes it different from other ferns.
It grows up to 50 cm, is thermophilic, requires shelter for the winter.
Multirow fern (Polystichum) - several species from a large genus are grown in the garden - Brown's (Polystichum braunii), top-fern (Polystichumacrostichoides), spiny (Polistichumaculeatum) and other herbaceous plants with leathery dense fronds growing from an obliquely growing rhizome. They are characterized by slow growth.
Ground cover ferns include several low and very showy plants:
Linnaean's fern (Dryopteris Linnaeana) – the root system of the fern is highly branched and rapidly growing. The fronds are openwork, light green in color, triangular in outline, with twice pinnately dissected lobes. The spores ripen in June.
Woodsia ilvensis
The plant is only 10-20 cm tall, can withstand both frost and drought, but suffers greatly from direct sunlight, so it is planted only on the north side of buildings.
Hair-like bone (Asplenium trichomanes) is the same low species as the previous one, growing no more than 20 cm in height. Prefers to grow in alkaline soil.
Centipede fern (Polypodium vulgare)
It forms a dense, beautiful canvas, which is often used for landscaping the roofs of high-rise buildings.
Salvinia natans
The most common fern for ponds is considered to be floating salvinia - an annual plant with pale green fronds, collected in pairs in whorls and drifting on the surface of the water. With the arrival of autumn, it sinks to the bottom, only spores overwinter.
Transfer rules
Many gardeners ask the question of how to replant a fern, although in fact it is simple to do.
The main thing is to follow a number of rules:
- replant 1-2 times a year in the spring, but only when the root system has grown and completely occupied the volume of the entire pot
- when transplanted in the fall, the plant may often get sick
- if the roots have not grown completely, only replacing the top layer of soil will be sufficient.
It is advisable to choose a pot based on the following principles:
- The width of the planting container must be equal to the height
- The bottom is wide enough, not narrow
- smooth, not thick walls
- porous, breathable material
- size - 2-3 cm in diameter wider than the previous one
Based on the basic requirements, fired clay pots are considered the most suitable. Nephrolepis is replanted only by transshipment, without clearing the roots of the old soil, so as not to injure them.
The bush is taken out of the pot, transferred to a new one and fresh soil mixture is added, leaving the base of the stem above the surface.
Nephrolepis should be planted no deeper than in the previous pot.
Conditions for growing ferns in the garden
The most suitable place for perennials in the garden is a corner protected from direct rays on the north side of buildings located on an area where shade remains most of the day.
Most of them do not like the sun, but if you provide good watering, then in an open, illuminated place you can plant female kochedednik, osmunda, and onoclea.
Polygonum, shieldweed and telipteris do not tolerate bright light at all.
Ferns prefer light and nutritious garden soil that is constantly moist. They feel good near bodies of water.
Slightly acidic soil is suitable for ostrich, nocturnal, Linnaeus, and onoclea; male shield and telipteris marsh grow on swampy acidic soil.
Osmunda asiatica or cinnamon
It will be slightly higher than the onoclea, up to 120 cm. For a non-specialist, it will not be easy to distinguish the nuances of the dissection and shape of the leaves. In autumn, osmunda foliage turns orange-yellow. This type of fern can be grown in open sunny areas , provided there is sufficient moisture. Frost resistance zone 3, up to -39.9 °C. Number of plants planted per 1 sq. m also no more than 4-6 pieces.
- Onoklea and osmunda are perfect for decorating the banks of reservoirs. And such extraordinary exotics as Arizema and Simplocarpus can become amazing and good neighbors for them.
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Features of fern propagation
Of all the possible methods in garden floriculture, propagation by spores and division of overgrown bushes is usually used.
Growing fern from spores
The spores ripen in August - from yellowish-green to brown.
They look very small and delicate, and are incredibly afraid of drying out and sunlight.
They are sown in containers filled with peat, and the crops are covered with glass on top or the entire container is placed in a transparent plastic bag.
The substrate inside is constantly kept moist.
Shoots appear after 2 weeks or a month.
Young seedlings are planted twice, grown for at least 2 years and only then transplanted into open ground.
Plants grown in this way are distinguished by powerful bushes and resistance to adverse environmental conditions.
Dividing the bush
Most garden ferns are propagated by fragments of rhizomes or by dividing the bush into several parts.
Use sections of rhizome 20-25 cm long; they should have at least 2 buds.
Those species that have a short rhizome and a rosette growth form are divided if small daughter rosettes have formed next to the adult specimen.
It is best to divide the bush in early spring in cool, cloudy weather, before the fronds have yet developed.
They dig up the bush, cut it between the rosettes with a sharp knife so that well-developed roots in sufficient quantities remain on each section.
The sections are sprinkled with cinnamon or crushed charcoal. After transplanting, the plants are well watered.
It is permissible to divide the bush in the fall at the beginning of September or even at the end of summer - in the last days of August.
The main thing is that the weather on the day of transplantation and for several days after is cool.
Those ferns that grow with only one growth point and do not form rosettes reproduce exclusively with the help of spores.
Popular varieties
To achieve success when cultivating ferns in the garden, you need to choose the right type of plant.
Female Kochedyzhnik
This crop is characterized by dissected leaves that form bunches. Under natural conditions, it grows in swamps, forming hummocks. The size is determined by the crop variety and can reach 30-70 centimeters. The roots of the bush are short and thick.
Common bracken
This plant reaches 70 centimeters in height. It grows well in dry soil, which contains a small amount of useful substances. The culture is characterized by long horizontal leaves resembling eagle wings. The plant contains toxic substances, which is why it poses a danger to pets. Moreover, this type of fern is absolutely harmless for people.
Male shieldweed
Under natural conditions, the culture develops in the shade and reaches 0.3-1.5 meters. Pores resembling a shield accumulate on the underside of the leaves.
Common ostrich
This crop is distinguished by feathery leaves that resemble the openwork pattern of ostrich feathers. They can reach 1.5 meters in size. With the arrival of spring, the leaves become like a rolled cocoon. Then they bloom and resemble a luxurious cone. The vertical root system requires systematic loosening and mulching.
Asplenium
The culture is popularly called Kostenets. Most aspleniums need warmth. However, there are also frost-resistant crops that can withstand temperatures down to -18 degrees.
See also
Caring for the Decembrist at home, reproduction and transplantation
Nest-like asplenium
This plant is able to grow even without soil, since under natural conditions it takes root on leaves and trunks. The size of the culture reaches 1 meter. Its dwarf species are found in flower shops.
Bulbous asplenium
This is a deciduous fern native to New Zealand. It can be grown in the garden. In this case, it is recommended to cover the root system with dry leaves. You can also dig up the bush and keep it in the cellar until spring arrives. The length of the plant reaches 60 centimeters.
Features of planting ferns in the garden
Having chosen a suitable place, plant the plant in a shallow hole commensurate with the root system of the plant.
The holes are placed at a distance of 30-50 cm from one another, guided by the expected size of an adult perennial.
A mixture of peat, compost and sand, taken in equal quantities, is poured into the bottom of the hole.
The perennial is positioned so that the base of the frond is not too buried in the ground, watered thoroughly and sprinkled with soil dug out from the hole.
Planting a fern is completed by mulching the soil around the plant to retain moisture with last year's dry leaves or pine needles.
Emerging issues related to landing
The question often comes from flower growers is whether it is possible to plant ferns near the house.
Having rejected all mystical warnings, experts boldly answer them - as many as they like, only from the north side and in the shade.
Similar doubts arise in connection with statements about the energy vampirism of the plant.
They arose due to the ability of the fern to absorb a lot of oxygen at night, so in a living room where people sleep, you cannot place a pot with an indoor fern - the next morning you will get a migraine.
However, this does not apply to garden ferns, because they grow in open spaces, and the amount of oxygen they absorb will not affect those around them.
Another question arises - how often can a fern be transplanted? The less often the better.
Plants do not like to have their root system disturbed, especially by division.
Powerful, beautiful bushes take several years to form; any intervention in this process stops their development.
Diseases and pests
If you regularly care for your garden fern, it will not get sick during the entire period that it will grow on the site. However, unfavorable conditions and carelessness of the owner often contribute to the appearance of insect pests and diseases on it.
Diseases in the bush occur as a result of improper care and unfavorable weather conditions.
Diseases to which many varieties of garden fern are susceptible:
- Anthracnose. Appears as dark spots on the leaves. They are especially numerous at the edges of the plates.
- Root rot. Appears due to waterlogging of the soil and lack of measures to loosen it. Signs of rot are yellowing of the leaves and their subsequent blackening.
- Gray rot. With this disease, the plates become covered with a soft, cotton-like gray mold. The disease is infectious in nature, therefore it is dangerous for nearby plants.
- Spotting. Formed on ferns with entire leaves. It is characterized by soft brown areas that increase in size over time until they cover the entire leaf.
Note! A good and effective way to get rid of diseases is to treat the above-ground part of the bush and soil with chemical fungicides.
Gardeners advise periodically spraying ferns with a weak solution of the product as a preventative measure.
Pests also often attack bushes, including:
- Whitefly. Small white flies that collect on the back of the plates. Their presence can be determined in a simple way - shake the bush. If a flock of snow-white midges flies up, then it is necessary to save the fern. To get rid of them, you should periodically shake the plant and spray it with insecticides in order to destroy the remaining larvae.
- White fools. In appearance they are very similar to small white worms. However, these insects are capable of jumping. They are found in the soil and often damage the root system, causing the plant to wither and stop growing.
- Mealybug. The main sign is the appearance of white “cotton wool” in some areas of the frond.
In some cases, the bush may suffer from nematodes, spider mites, and aphids, which also need to be gotten rid of with insecticides.
Garden fern looks especially beautiful in the garden and paired with coniferous trees
Garden fern is in great demand in landscape design. There are an incredible variety of varieties of this plant, so choosing a bush to suit your taste will not be difficult. Fern is not difficult to care for, so even novice gardeners can grow it in their own garden.
Best tips for caring for ferns outdoors
The main care measures involve regular watering of plants, especially in hot summer weather.
The amount of water is not particularly limited if the surrounding air is dry - the plants are also sprayed using spray nozzles for a hose or watering can.
The soil for ferns should be constantly moist.
After drying, it is carefully loosened so as not to catch the root system of the plant, and weeds are removed.
At the beginning of the growing season, perennials are fed once every three weeks with complex mineral fertilizers, and organic matter is added in early spring.
Preparing the fern for winter involves mulching the root space with peat, as well as covering it with spruce branches or fallen leaves.
For frost-resistant species, it is enough to sprinkle the center of the bush with dry leaves, although many plants can do without this.
Diseases and pests of ferns
The decorative appearance of fern plantings is seriously spoiled by slugs and snails that live in humid environments.
They are collected manually; if the colony is numerous, metaldehyde preparations are scattered between the bushes.
A serious problem for plants is bacterial and fungal infections, which cause rotting of the rhizomes and, as a result, the death of the entire bush.
The appearance of brown spots on the fronds is a signal for immediate action.
The affected fronds are cut off and burned, and the entire plant is treated with a fungicide, for example, Maxim.
To prevent diseases, they try to water so that the stream of water does not fall into the center of the bush.
Short description
Despite serious differences in size, cycles, even life forms (there are herbaceous and woody species), the external characteristics of the species are similar. Let's say more - ferns are the largest group of spores. Ecological plasticity, resistance to excessive watering, unique leaf shape... What other characteristics allow you to recognize a fern among hundreds of other plants?
Fern
- Planting fern, a perennial herbaceous shrub, is practiced everywhere. The appearance of the plant is compared to the tail of a capercaillie during the mating season - so fluffy and large.
- Some species do not grow higher than 30 cm. But there are also real giants up to 150 cm high.
- The root system is medium-sized, branched.
- The stem is dense.
- Many call primitive plates foliage, although in fact they are fronds. They are formed from buds located closer to the root.
- One of the common types of reproduction is by spores. They ripen directly on the plates.
Now that we’re done with the short description, we can move on to plant varieties.
Ferns in garden design with other plants (photo)
Spectacular forest aliens add the natural mystery of a virgin corner of nature to the atmosphere of any garden.
The plant looks great on the shore of a reservoir, along garden paths, in the tree trunks, ideal for creating rutariums or rockeries, for decorating the northern shaded slopes of alpine hills.
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Excellent partners for ferns in creating beautiful garden compositions are various varieties of hosta, bergenia, lungwort, heuchera, astilbe, as well as conifers - junipers, thujas, fir, cypress.
Mystical ferns are able to give the garden the character of a forest natural corner and enchant every traveler with the openwork curve of the airy emerald foliage.
Brown's multi-row
A beautiful , slowly growing fern, not exceeding 60 cm in height. Planting sites should be chosen protected from the sun and wind, with fertile and moist soils without stagnant water . Polygonum spinosa is very similar to Brown's polyrow, only taller, up to 100 cm, and with denser foliage. These two ferns can be planted in quantities of up to 5-6 pcs. per 1 sq. m.
- Multi-row plants look great in group plantings, in medium and small flower arrangements.
- The best neighbor friends, as for any ferns, will be astilbe, bergenia, hosta, aquilegia, kupena, rogersia and bergenia.
Labykina Irina / Flickr.com
