Ferntastic Evergreen Ferns
Architectural, versatile, colourful, dainty are just a few words to sum up this popular group of plants. They are surprisimgly useful in many a situation, from walls and steep banks to shady woodland stumpery environments or even pots, containers and hanging baskets.
Below are a few of my favourite evergreen ferns pictured in this article.
Evergreen ferns (planted in the top of the basket) including:
Asplenium scolopendrium (hart’s tongue fern): Native fern with glossy leathery tongue like fronds. Will grow anywhere, even in the cracks of walls. Grows 50cm x 50cm.
Asplenium scolopendrium (hart’s tongue fern): Native fern with glossy leathery tongue like fronds. Will grow anywhere, even in the cracks of walls. Grows 50cm x 50cm.
Asplenium scolopendrium:
Cyrtomium fortunei:
Cyrtomium fortunei (Japanese holly fern): Add an oriental touch to the planting scheme with this vigorous fern which produces sword shaped lime green juvenile leaves. Grows 60cm x 50cm.
Polystichum setiferum ‘Congestum’ (congested soft shield fern): This dwarf fern produces lacy soft fronds with a fine texture which will grow in virtually any shady location. Grows 30cm x 30cm.
Polystichum setiferum:
To achieve this look you will need:
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1 x 35cm (14″) wire hanging basket
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1 x 35cm (14″) natural moss look basket liner
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Ericaceous compost
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Water storing crystals to add to compost in order to aid water retention
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Small log for decorative effect
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Evergreen ferns (planted in the side of the basket) including:
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Polypodium vulgare (common polypody): Native fern for all soil types. Comb like fronds with deeply cut leathery leaves often covered in orange spores. Grows 30cm x 30cm.
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Blechnum penna-marina (hard fern): Good ground cover fern. Produces elegant glossy dark green fronds and bronze new growth. Height 15cm.
