Sensitive or Bead Fern

Hi Cindy,
        I have had the sensitive fern in my garden for some years now. many old
gardeners walking through ask why I have it and how long as they are sure
it will take over the whole garden. It is in relatively decent soil and
mulched with chopped leaves each fall. Thus far is a good grower, but has
not decided to take over the area where planted. After 8 years in the
garden it is about 3 feet in diameter. Mine are with Tricyrtis, Gentian,
and others.
        We do always get hot and dry here somewhere around July and into the first
part of September. Perhaps that helps hold them back to some degree.
        I like the fern best for its silver-black beads on stems above the broad
foliage.
        Gene Bush     Southern Indiana    Zone 6a     Munchkin Nursery
          around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com     http://www.munchkinnursery.com

----------
> From: Cindy Johnson <Cidjohnson@AOL.COM>
> Subject: Re: [SG] Maidenhair Fern
> Date: Sunday, January 31, 1999 1:57 AM
>
> In a message dated 1/30/99 7:09:54 PM Central Standard Time,
Meum71@AOL.COM
> writes:
>
> << I highly recommend this native fern, plus sensitive fern for those
that
> want
>  shorter ferns for the shade garden. >>
>
> Hi Paul and fellow gardeners,
>
> I'd like to hear more about your use of the sensitive fern.  Do you mean
> Onoclea sensibilis?  I've hesitated to introduce this one into my
woodland
> garden because of how it spreads through out my lawn down by our pond.
We
> just mow it right along with the grass.  It does stay moist by the pond,
> however, so that might be why it does so good there.  Do you think it
could
> crowd out woodland plants that are in drier, sandier soils?   Or, maybe I
> should ask WHICH plants can compete with it, and which ones can't??
>
> Thanks for any thoughts on this,
> Cindy Johnson
> White Bear Lake, MN
>  zone 4a
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