“Some mornings it just doesn’t seem worth it to gnaw through the leather straps.” – Emo Philips
“Everything I did in my life that was worthwhile I caught hell for.” – Earl Warren
PAUL’S PLANT PICK
September 2009
Archive Paul's Plant Pick
The Autumn Fern
Dryopteris erythrosora
I love ferns, which is why I have well over 150 clumps representing six different genera growing all over my place. They’re among the most carefree of all plants, provided you plant them in the right location. And with few exceptions, that means a spot with full to partial shade (no afternoon sun, please), good drainage, and rich soil that’s been amended with compost or, better yet, leaf mold.
My favorite among all the ferns is the Autumn fern. It’s nowhere near as delicate as the Maidenhair fern or as intriguing as the Cinnamon fern, but it’s more rugged and more dependable.
Autumn Fern
Hardy in Zones 4 to 9, the Autumn fern is actually semi-evergreen in my area, and that’s yet another reason I love to grow it. New growth appears in spring and the fronds start out coppery-red, then turn bronze, and finally green. The fronds can reach heights of up to three feet, although two feet is more common. As the plants mature, their clumps get wider at the base, but Autumn fern doesn’t spread the way other ferns can (and often do).
Autumn Fern
I never fertilized my ferns, but I do amend the soil each year with a top-dressing of leaf mold, which is nothing more than leaves that have been shredded and left to rot for several months. Leaf mold mimics the conditions found on the forest floor, the native habitat of most ferns. I also make sure my ferns get plenty of water, although once established the Autumn fern is actually fairly drought tolerant, and virtually immune to attack by insects or diseases.
Autumn Fern
So if love shade gardening and are looking for a plant that practically thrives on neglect, get a few Autumn ferns. You won’t be disappointed.
