Re: Ferns

Sensitive fern is native for me; just shows up where it wants to, but
I do not class it as a thug - it can't hold a candle to hay-scented
fern:-)  In some spots, it stays relatively short but it's put itself
in front of a bunch of junipers and grows up through their branches,
reaching maybe 30" tall in this one place.  Otherwise, it sort of
gets buried by the hay-scented and Christmas ferns; kinda runs very
loosely and pops up here and there in the woodland.  I think its
rather broad frond is very attractive early in the season, but by
August, the fronds have started to blacken and it's not so
beautiful...

Ostrich fern does not spread all that much for me, but it's in a dry,
shady border.  I understand that in damp soil it can take off like
mad.  Mine also looks ratty this time of year...beautiful fern, tho';
would not want to be without it.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
Shadyside Garden Designs
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----------
> From: diehlr@INDIANA.EDU
>
> Hi Kay:
>
> I have read that Sensitive Fern can be a thug, but around here it
doesn't seem
> to be for whatever reason. I have two clumps 4 years old that were
small when
> planted and now are medium sized. It doesn't spread (at least so
far). I never
> see it growing in the wild, and usually not in people's gardens
either. But as I
> said, I like the way it looks.
>
> Ostrich fern on the other hand could be called a thug in my yard. I
give gobs of
> it away. But I like its looks too, except for THIS time of year
when it's quite
> ratty.
>
> Bobbi
> Bloomington IN z5/6
>
> Quoting Kdye1@AOL.COM:
>
> > At my house it is a bit of a thug.  It pretty well grows where it
wants to,
> > but I let it and so it acts as a filler/groundcover kind of
plant.  It grows
> > wild along the roadside in my neighborhood.
> >
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