Re: Ferns/Astilbe/Aconitum???

Louise, Along the same lines as goat's beard, you might try the native
Astilbe biternata, which grows up to five feet and has upright off-white
plumes. In my experience, it will cope with dry shade much better than the
typical astilbe. (As an aside, I've found that the interestingly colored
astilbes usually turn a disappointing purple in serious shade.) Also, the
biternata holds up to rain much better than the goat's beard, which turns
into a muddle during the storm that invariably arrives two days after it
starts blooming in June. Its other nice quality is that it has fairly broad
leaves--closer to goat's beard than the usual astilbe--and thus presents a
nice foliage contrast to more fern-like plants.

Nancy Stedman, NYC, zone 6B

  >Louise,
>
>IMHO, you will need to take the advice if creating a tiny moist boggy
>bit with a plastic liner in order to keep either the royal fern or
>any astilbe happy where you want to plant them.  Not all that hard to
>do, really.  Royal fern is absolutely lovely when it gets going and
>has enough water - billows its skirts out and takes up a goodly bit
>of space.  Needs, I think, a touch of sun during the day - morning
>preferably...not a plant for a dank, dark corner.  Or failing a
>direct ray or two, at least some light.
>
>You might also consider goat's beard ( Aruncus).  I have some under a
>maple where it gets pretty dry.  They do not reach the height of some
>that don't have this kind of root competition, but look sort of like
>astilbe on steroids...same effect; white flowers.
>
>If you do dig a place for moisture, watch cutting the locust roots.
>If it behaves anything like black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), it
>will sprout up from damaged or cut roots and try to make more trees.
>
>Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
>mtalt@clark.net
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>----------
>> From: Louise Niemer <naturverbunden@EMAIL.COM>
>>
>> I have a rather narrow, awkard area that I need something with
>height and
>> ruffle.  I am thinking of 'Royal Ferns' or astilbe
>'Straussenfedder'
>> (ostrich plume).  The area is not dry but not really moist either
>as there
>> is a blue spruce to one side, and 'Skyline' honey locust (under
>which the
>> plants are needed) to the other.  I water regularly but both of
>these do
>> tend to suck up water quickly.  Can anyone share any insight and/or
>> experience with either of these?
>>
>> Alternately, I'm thinking of transplanting my aconitum over there
>but have
>> heard that they don't like to be disturbed.  They're just not doing
>anything
>> spectacular right now where they are - usually trash-out when it is
>time for
>> them to bloom.  Any advice in that regard is also greatly
>appreciated!
>>
>> Louise Niemer, zone 5
>> Park Hills, Kentucky
>>
>>
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