Don't you just love when Mother Nature gifts you with wonderful plants? About five years ago I was gifted with an unknown fern. It just moved in and made itself at home. Good thing it is a nice gift-Mother Nature can keep her weeds. I did not know what kind of fern this plant was, but knew it was indeed a fern. Though its foliage is coarser than most ferns, it is a fern and it was pretty easy to identify it. The first frost gave the identity away. Have you guessed the type of fern I am talking about? It is a Sensitive Fern, aka Onoclea sensibilis. My Southern Living Garden Book says this fern is native to the eastern United States and spreads by underground rhizomes. The book also says it can be invasive in the right conditions. After growing here for more than six years I have found it reliably spreads to form a nice clump. Volunteers will pop up close to the plant, but they are never a problem because one of my friends always wants a start!
My sensitive fern grows near my heat pump. It receives steady moisture from the condensation formed when the heat pump is in the cooling mode. I have allowed it to grow to its heart's content. It is on the north side of my home and serves as a great groundcover. It complements the hostas and hydrangeas growing near it.And why did the first frost give the identity a way? Because, according to my Southern Living Garden Book, this fern is most 'sensitive' to frost. Sensitive is a nice word for what happens to the plant because in my garden the sensitive fern totally dies back and is blackened by a the first frost. But never fear, once spring arrives it bounces back....
in the garden....
We have a ton of Ferns in our way back, need to ID them. My husband and I actually found two different fern looking vines the other day..I think he may have weed whacked them though~~~~~
ReplyDeleteWhat a great fern to have. I have never heard of it. I love ferns, but think I need to love them in someone else's yard now! :)
ReplyDeleteFerns are such interesting plants, what with their spores at whatnot, which was all much clearer when I took a botany class. Here's a cool diagram (click to enlarge), though, on how they reproduce without seeds!
ReplyDeleteHave to love a fern! We have about a billizion different kinds up here including this one. I like them all, but his one would be easy to find for sure.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Tina. This is a new one to me, never heard of them. Interesting, I'll have to see if they grow in this area.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Mine was a weedy specimen when I planted it 2 years ago and it died away at the first frost. The following year there was an empty space and I had almost given up hope when it suddenly popped up across a 3 foot wide area. Luckily it hasn't spread fast after that initial burst of energy. It's a lovely fern, well worth growing.
ReplyDeleteI only have two ferns (that I can account for) near the house. I transplanted them from the backyard but since we have so much sun I really don't have great spots for them. I wish I did, ferns are awesome!
ReplyDeleteI love this fern and wish I had more of it....and may have to add it to the Wildflower bed near the downspout! I always wondered about its name...gail
ReplyDeleteLovely fern. I should be paying more attention to the ones I already have. Your post will be an important reminder, so thanks in advance!
ReplyDeleteHi Tina, what a great use of the heat pump watering system! I have a fern, gift from neighbor Mickey that I cannot ID. He called it a Sun Fern and it does spread. I will have to watch when the first frost comes to see what happens to it. I will also compare it to your photo, thanks for the info my friend! :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
I think it’s beautiful. I don’t blame you I would let it spread too.--Randy
ReplyDeleteFerns have been around since the time of dinosaurses. Nothing can kill them, even frost!
ReplyDeleteI love ferns and like Dawn said we have a billizion up here but most people do not have them in their gardens as they grow wild everywhere. They soothe me when having to be on the road.
ReplyDeleteHi Tina --I like ferns --they compliment the landscaping. But, I do remember them in the woods back home growing all over --different time, different place --
ReplyDeleteHi Jean -thanks for your kind words yesterday -lil bundle does make me smile alot more:0) I do believe it's that toothless grin of his, hahaha.
Hi Lola -you are so sweet -I hope you have a great day.
Hi Dawn and Skeeter -here's hoping you have a fabulous day.
Hi Nina -I'm sure you got a teensy bit of rain yesterday -we had a few quick showers but nothing significant.
Lil Bundle isn't into me typing today -ciao!
I'm a big fan of ferns in the garden. Must admit that finding ones that don't get too big, or are too invasive, or are susceptible to powdery mildew and can handle the occasional freeze is challenging.
ReplyDeleteLove your wild fern!
ReplyDeleteWe have ferns growing in our woods like weeds too. Only problem is that the Japanese beetles are attacking them after decimating our wild raspberries. I'm thinking of getting rid of the wild raspberries to avoid attracting the beetles and doing some aggressive grub control. Ferns are too lovely to lose.
Nothing says Southern like a Fern and being Southern, I love ferns! The Saint planted some type of new ferns (new to us) this year but they have not done so well due to the current lack of rains in GA. We have plenty wild ones in the woods but they are not too large. I want to dig some up and try them in the shade garden but am afraid of killing them to lack of water so I just leave them be and enjoy them when in the woods walking around...
ReplyDeleteNo rain in St. Bethlehem yesterday Nina. Everything is so lush and green up here with all the rains you have had this summer...
Anonymous, how is school going for the kiddoes? Not as lonely with them gone this year with little Bundle I assume :-)
Lola, the Saint says we are still not getting any rain on our yard. Pop up showers but not hitting us. Are you having those pop up showers as well???
Tina, keep that pot and put something fun in it to add to your Pot Garden... :)
What a great gift indeed! It's a very pretty fern and it sounds like you found the perfect spot for it. I have a tough time with ferns, too dry or too wet for them. They sure add a lot with their pretty foliage though.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea to plant it near the pump where it can get regular moisture! I'm trying a few ferns this year, and they keep getting brown around the edges when I forget to water. Hopefully they'll do better next year when their roots are more established.
ReplyDeleteI become very sensitive to frost too. These northeast winters get harder and harder to take. Could you might find me a spot close to your heat pump?? I'd not take up very much room, and I don't spread. Me and the sensitive fern would become great companions I'm sure! ;~)
ReplyDeleteHi everybody, It's not that I'm not talking-I've just been kind of busy. I am here though and thanks for all your comments.
ReplyDeleteTC-Got plenty of room for you anytime!
That's a great looking fern Tina. I have some that came up volunteer that can be invasive here. They travel by underground roots. Guess the birds helped with that. Also I have a Japanese Vine Fern that can grow 15' or more & it is invasive. It grows all over South Ga. & Fl. in the forest. I have to keep it cut down or it will take over all. Another gift via birds.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous you are too kind. Thanks. I guess the kiddos are busy with school, soon sports will start up. School doesn't start till the 24th here.
No, Skeeter no pop up showers unless we get one today or night as it is overcast. Young'un mowing now. Grass knee high to a giraffe. lol
Nina hope you are having a great day.
Darla, If you have what I do you best get rid of it or it will take over almost like kudzu.
Dawn & Jean I bet the wild ferns love the cooler temps & the moisture.
We had sensitive fern growing wild around the house when it was in the floodplain. It's a very nice filler.
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty fern - how lucky that it came to live with you. I have a huge one in the back yard and always wonder how it does so well in the summer because it gets quite a bit of sun. My Dad is always talking about his favorite fern which is the Maidenhair and the other day they brought me 3 of them. They are very delicate looking as opposed to the Swordferns that I have. They even pulled through after planting them in this heat wave that we've been having!
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone, It's not that I'm not talking just that I've been busy plus the blog is acting up for me. What a pain. Just wanted to say hello.
ReplyDeleteP.S. TC, got room for you anytime. Bring your guitar.
Hi Tina! I love Sensative Ferns. Got one from my extension agent..he has lots of ferns. Haven't put it in the garden yet!
ReplyDeleteHi Tina! I love Sensative Ferns. Got one from my extension agent..he has lots of ferns. Haven't put it in the garden yet!
ReplyDeleteI always wondered what a sensitive fern was! Thanks for explaining this variety. I happily welcome any and all ferns to my garden.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info on the squash beetle--now I'm worried about these red wasp-looking insects I've seen flying about here.
It's so lovely!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I miss growing ferns. I have a Japanese Painted fern in my planter on the waterfall patio, but it has scorched tips even though it's fairly well protected from the sun.
Cameron
Tina, remind me to ask you a question tomorrow when i see you.
ReplyDeleteLola, I talked to the Saint on the phone today and he said we had almost 1/2 inch of rain! yippee, and that sweetheart of mine had the water sprinkler set up in the flower garden for me yesterday! i was shocked when he told me that! What a darling I have!!!
Anonymous, what time do the kiddoes get home from school? :-) The buses are sure running up and down Dunbar Cave road!