Ferns in the garden, planting, care, useful tips. Growing and caring for garden ferns

Current trend landscape design - decorating a garden plot with plants that are traditionally perceived as growing wild. They give the composition a natural ease and special charm. One such popular plant is the garden fern. How to care for him?

Garden fern: a brief introduction

The plant, endowed among the people with mystical powers and magical properties, has been known since ancient times. Many people dreamed of seeing a fern flower, but science managed to debunk this myth: the perennial never blooms. However, due to its interesting appearance, it does not have flowers. will become worthy decoration any garden, the main thing is to know how to properly care for your dacha.

This herbaceous plant of the Osmundov family came to us from Far East, namely from Korea and China and has taken root well in the Russian climate. Some are known Interesting Facts about fern:

Description

You can recognize a garden fern by the following signs:

Ferns can be planted in the shade; this unpretentious plant does not require special care.

The most suitable species for the garden

There are more than 200 species of this perennial plant in the world, some of them are real giants, accustomed to the existence in the hot tropical jungle. Others get along quite well in the climate of the middle zone. For garden the best way The following varieties are suitable:

Adiantum comes in several varieties:

• Venus hair. It does not tolerate frost well, so it is suitable for the site only in warm climates. Reproduction occurs using spores.
• Stop-shaped. The historical homeland of the plant is Primorsky Krai. The average height of the bush is 50 cm, leaf blades lace openwork shape, color– greenish-yellow. The fronds are placed horizontally, as if forming tiers. The plant looks very neat, reproduces by dividing the bush, and tolerates frost well.

Common ostrich. In nature, it prefers to grow on the banks of rivers and the shade of trees; it can be found on almost any continent. The plant is popular in landscape design for a number of reasons:

The leaflet comes in two varieties:

• Japanese leaflet. It has unusual shape due to the fact that dark green fronds grow in a specific way - in different directions. The height of the plant is small, no more than 40 cm. But due to its attractive appearance, the plant has found wide application in landscape design.
• Scolopendra leaflet. The fronds do not have the dissections characteristic of a fern, so the plant does not look delicate. The rich green leaf plate is long. This plant came to us from mountain forests Western Europe.

Kochedyzhnik is diverse; the color of the leaves can be different, from green to red and even brown. The most suitable varieties for growing are:

• Female Kochedyzhnik – a true long-liver in the world of ferns. The average length is 50 cm, but some varieties can grow up to 70 cm in length. The fronds are collected in bunches and dissected, which looks very interesting and unusual.
• Nippon Kochedyzhnik. It is colored silver with reddish veins, which is very unusual for ferns. Reproduction occurs by horse shoots.

The multi-row fern comes from Holland, has a weak rhizome with poor branching, so this type of fern is not widespread. The frond leaves are very interesting:

• They retain their greenery even in winter, adding fresh accents to a snowy area.
• in spring twisted into "snails" which looks very nice.
• In summer and autumn - openwork and lace, in a fresh green shade.

Male shieldweed is one of the most common varieties and is often found in wildlife middle lane. Has a developed root system. The average height is from 50 cm to a meter, sometimes the plant grows up to 1.5 meters. The feathery fronds form a funnel-shaped rosette, but grow very slowly.

Common bracken is an edible species of fern with large leaves, reminiscent of a bird's wing. The plant reaches a height of 50-70 cm, but care should be taken when growing it - the fronds have characteristic tannic odor and are poisonous to pets.

Selecting from this list If you have chosen the most suitable varieties of fern for yourself, you can safely begin planting and caring for this unpretentious plant.

Fern propagation

Unlike most garden plants, the fern does not bloom, but forms spores, so there are two methods of reproduction:

• Disputes
• Vegetatively (by dividing the bush or root suckers)
• Ground antennae
• Budding

Let's consider both methods. Reproduction by spores is easy and simple in nature, but gardeners often encounter problems when choosing this method.

The spores are located on the underside of the frond in special tubercles. They should be collected in spring only from mature plants. If you don’t have ferns in your garden plot yet, you can buy spores. Parts of the leaf with tubercles are carefully cut off and placed in paper bag, where they will be stored until they dry out.

Planting starts in January next year, the spores will have dried out sufficiently by this time. For cultivation, you should prepare pots with a soil substrate consisting of sand, leaf soil and peat. The spores are placed on the surface of the soil; there is no need to sprinkle them with soil. Using a spray bottle, the soil is carefully moistened, after which the containers are covered with film or glass to obtain a greenhouse effect.

In about a month the first shoots will appear, appearance resembling moss. At this time, the film is removed, and young plants are sprayed daily. When a full-fledged plant is formed, it can be transplanted into a separate pot, and in the spring - into open ground.

Simplest fern propagation method, suitable for beginners - dividing the bush. The time to carry it out is early spring; suitable bushes are selected - with the largest number of rosettes, dug up and carefully divided into parts. After this, the plant is immediately transplanted to a new “place of residence” - long-term storage is detrimental for seedlings.

Reproduction by tendrils or rhizomatous shoots is often found. To do this, the tendrils that appear in the spring are buried in soil and provided with watering; after some time they become an independent plant.

Important! This method of propagation is suitable only for those varieties that form ground tendrils..

Finally, some plant species reproduce by budding. After buds form on the leaf platinum, they should be separated and placed in moss, covered on top glass jar. After some time, the buds will sprout, forming a small sprout. By watering this plant well, in a month you will see that it is ready to be transplanted to a permanent location.

The plant is unpretentious in care, but, like any representative of the fauna, it will grow better if you provide it with proper care. A place for a fern in the garden should be selected shady, draft-proof. You can also plant the plant along the shore of a pond or under big tree. The optimal soil is loose, light, slightly moist, but not waterlogged, otherwise the roots will rot.

How to replant a fern? It is necessary to dig up the plant and straighten the roots. If transplanting is done from a pot, the fern is thoroughly watered so that it is very easy to remove the seedlings. At the planting site, planting holes with a large diameter are formed - approximately twice as large as the root system of the plant. Distance between bows should be at least 30 cm. When planting, it is important to ensure that the root collar is above the ground. After this, the plant is covered with soil and mulched with peat. Transplantation of plants, as well as planting seedlings in open ground, is carried out in the spring.

Important! The fern can grow very quickly, so the area where it grows should be fenced in advance with slate around the perimeter.

Secrets of cultivation

Fern is not a capricious plant, so growing it does not require much work. The main thing is not to forget to water the plantings; you can use fertilizers that stimulate growth.

For normal plant development, the soil must be moist, so in dry summers regular watering should be organized.

For normal plant development, the soil must be moist, so in dry summers you should organize regular watering. Newly planted bushes should be watered especially generously in the first few months.

Loosening the soil after each watering will also be useful for growing ferns. This will make the soil light, allow oxygen to flow to the roots, and prevent the appearance of weeds. To reduce moisture evaporation, the soil can be mulched using spruce needles.

The fern does not need fertilizing, but if you want to speed up the growth and development of the plant, you can use organic fertilizer solution or mineral complex. The best time for feeding is the period of formation of offspring.

Fern - unpretentious perennial, characterized by an attractive appearance, due to which it will become an excellent decoration of the garden. Planting these bushes is very simple, care will not take much time and effort, and the lush openwork fronds will delight your eye throughout the season.

Fern is popular ornamental plant among gardeners due to its decorative qualities and ease of care. A correctly selected variety of this crop can serve as a real decoration for the landscape design of any garden or cottage. Therefore, in this article we will take a closer look at some of the types and characteristics of this plant, and also consider how to plant and care for garden ferns.

General information

Fern is an ancient plant that grew long before the appearance of man. Moreover, it is also the only plant on the planet that does not have leaves.

What we call fern leaves is a leaf blade, inside of which there is a whole system of branches.

• Scientifically, the leaf blades are called fronds. As a rule, it is thick and has a rich green color, for which, in fact, this plant is valued.
• As a rule, ferns are shade-loving and moisture-loving plants. Therefore, with their help you can decorate even shaded areas of the garden.
• Depending on the type of crop, ferns are used in flower beds, to decorate alpine slides or as a green carpet.

Types of garden ferns

There are many types of this plant.

However, in our area the following ferns are most often grown in the garden:

• Common ostrich;
• Common ostrich;
• Female Kochedyzhnik;
• Common centipede.

Common ostrich

This plant is also called “ostrich feather”, since its long leaves, which reach a height of one and a half meters, resemble ostrich feathers. In the spring they are wrapped in a kind of cocoon, and with the onset of warmth they fluff up, resulting in the formation of a luxurious funnel.

A feature of this crop is the vertical location of the root system, so it needs loosening the soil and autumn mulching.

It is a low fern that is perfectly adapted to poor and dry soils. Its horizontal leaves resemble the feathers of an eagle, hence its name.

Note!
Common bracken is poisonous to pets, however, it is safe for people.

The root system is horizontal and highly branched. Therefore, the plant is less demanding on loosening.

In the photo - female nomad

Female Kochedyzhnik

The plant has strongly dissected leaves collected in bunches. Depending on the variety, the size varies between 30-70 centimeters. The rhizome is thick and short.

It should be noted that this plant is long-lived. Bushes can grow in one place for up to ten years.

It is one of the most beautiful ferns growing in the middle zone. Graceful plant reaches a height of 60 cm and has flat and fan-shaped leaves, located on shiny thin black petioles.

The leaves are light green, pinnately dissected and lopsided, notched at the edges. Adiantum foot-shaped has good winter hardiness - up to -35 degrees Celsius.

It is a tall evergreen fern with serrated leaves. The disadvantage is reduced winter hardiness. In addition, it is a shade-loving plant.

Therefore, multi-row bristlecone should be planted in shaded and protected from the wind places.

It is a low-growing and evergreen fern with palmately complex fronds up to 20 centimeters long. They are located along the central vein in two rows, initially have a golden color, and later darken.

The plant is moisture-loving, as a result of which it is an excellent decoration for the coastal zone of reservoirs. The common centipede feels best in the forest.

Planting and propagation

The easiest way to get ferns on your property is to dig up bushes in the forest. With proper care, forest fern will take root well in the garden. If there are no forests with ferns nearby, you can purchase seedlings from the garden.

The plant tolerates poor soils and other unfavorable conditions well, but you need to choose shaded places for planting where other plants do not develop well.

Note!
The best time for planting is early spring, when the plant is just beginning to bloom.

If the soil is clay, you need to prepare the following substrate:

The soil where the fern will grow	2 parts
Peat	2 parts
Needles (fallen)	1 part

In addition, a little sand should be added to the substrate.

Planting instructions are as follows:

• First of all, you need to dig a hole of a suitable size so that the rhizome can fit freely in it.
• Then you need to carefully loosen the roots using a wooden spatula.
• Then it should be placed in a hole so that the area where the rhizome transitions into leaves is located on the surface of the soil.
• Next, you need to water the hole generously and pour the substrate directly into the water. As a result, the roots should stick tightly to the soil.

Note!
When planting a fern, do not trim the roots, as when transplanting flowers.

Reproduction

A fern is an asexual plant that does not have flowers or seeds. Therefore, in nature, reproduction is carried out by spores. In the garden, you can propagate the crop with your own hands, not only through spores, but also in some other ways.

Below we consider all effective methods:

• Spores - tubercles on the bottom of the leaf of an adult fern are the containers in which the spores are located.
  To propagate the culture by spores on the site, you need to cut off these containers with part of the leaf and put them in bags to dry. Pores are sown in boxes with substrate at the end of January. To do this, they are simply scattered over the surface of the soil without covering them with soil.

• By dividing the rhizome - this method is used for long-rhizome ferns, such as bracken or ostrich, since propagation using this method is easier. This operation is usually performed after the end of spring frosts, without delay.
• Rhizomatous tendrils - individual species ferns, such as Nephrolepis sublime, have above-ground rhizomatous tendrils from which young shoots subsequently grow. To grow a plant from mustaches, they should be buried to a depth of about 10 cm, after which the soil should be well watered.
• Brood buds - the leaves of some varieties of ferns form brood buds. Subsequently, young plants, the so-called “babies,” develop from them. The “babies” need to be separated from the leaf and placed on a damp surface of peat moss. Each bud should be covered with a glass jar and then placed in a shaded, warm place in the house.

It must be said that the “babies” take root quite quickly and after 2-3 weeks they are ready for transplanting into open ground.

As we can see, for different types of fern you can use different methods reproduction. Therefore, when purchasing seedlings, you should find out how you can subsequently propagate the crop.

Care

As mentioned above, ferns are not at all problematic.

However, in different time years, some actions still need to be performed:

• In autumn, the bushes are mulched at the base to a height of several centimeters with withered leaves or sawdust. There is no need to remove mulch in spring.
• In early spring, the crop must be fed with complex or organic fertilizer. The price of such fertilizers is quite affordable.
• In summer - all care comes down to watering during the dry season.

It must be said that almost all of the above varieties of fern do not need to be covered for the winter, since they tolerate even harsh winters well. But plants such as shield grass or holocumus must be covered before winter, otherwise they may freeze.

All plant care comes down to these actions. Thus, this culture takes up a minimum of time and allows you to pay more attention to other cultures.

Conclusion

Fern is great solution For . The main thing is to choose a suitable variety, both in terms of decorative qualities and adaptability to your climatic conditions. As for breeding this crop, the process will not cause any difficulties.

From the video in this article you can glean some Additional information on this topic.

The association with the word “fern” is always ambiguous. Some people think of something secret and mysterious, some associate this beautiful plant with lush green foliage, while others immediately imagine a ready-made rock garden composition. Ferns truly are a wonderful addition to garden arrangements. It can be adapted even in the most difficult, at first glance, conditions. This can be done with proper care and choosing the type of frond plant.

Types of ferns

Ferns have been growing on earth since the times when dinosaurs inhabited it. From that period to the present day, many species of this herbaceous plant have survived.

According to researchers, this figure is more than 10,000. Despite the wide variety of forms of this plant, it has one peculiarity: the fern never blooms. Entire legends are written about it, but no one has documented the fact of flowering.

Even considering the fact that the fern does not have a flowering part, people like to use it in landscape design. Here are some of them popular types of this plant:

• Fern Adiantum - The most suitable ferns for the climatic zones of Russia are considered to be the Adiantum stopiformis and Venus hair ferns. The first subspecies takes root especially well in the Far East, in the forests of the Amur and Primorye regions. As for Venus hair, it feels favorable in the Crimea and the Caucasus near mountain rivers and reservoirs.
  Venus hair is considered one of the common species that grows well on private farms, as well as in natural conditions. It is distinguished by its openwork dissected leaves, which grow on petioles that look like thin wire. The leaves, like tufts, grow from a powerful root stem. Its height does not exceed 0.5-0.7 m. There are spore sacs on the bottom of the leaves; they look like dark spots.
  Adiantum by its nature does not like windy areas. The plant develops life to the fullest in shaded areas where there is enough moisture. You just have to highlight it for him right place and it will delight you with its appearance for several decades. If very hot days come, the fern needs to be watered. Watering is arranged in a special way - sprinkling. The soil should be slightly acidic and fertilized organic fertilizers such as humus or compost. A drainage layer is placed into the base.
  With proper care, the fern literally turns into a luxurious spherical shrub in just a few years. Landscape designers recommend planting it in rock gardens, along ponds, and in garden compositions along with navel and sedum. Some gardeners like to decorate the garden with ferns of this type directly in pots, without planting them in the ground;

• Male shield fern- has a wide variety of subspecies, among which are:
  Austrian Shield. Favorite place of growth on loamy, moist soils. It has triangular leaves with a spread of up to 1 m. Color: light green. It spreads like a carpet on the ground, which is why it is called “Prostrate”.
  Amur Shield- gardeners prefer this plant variety for its high frost resistance. The color is bluish-green, the shape of the leaves resembles feathers. With the onset of frost, the triangular fronds die off.
  The Crested Shield is one of the most common species of its group. Can grow in any territory of Russia. Humidity conditions will be more suitable for it. It’s good if there is a body of water nearby.
  A perennial plant in maturity reaches no more than 0.5 m. It has a short but thickened rhizome, covered with scales on top. The color of the leaves is close to dark green. On their reverse side there are black spores arranged in a row. The leaves have an elongated shape. They are attached to erect petioles.
  In addition to the above listed species, the Scented Shield Plant, which has a pleasant aroma and miniature size, the decorative species of the False Male Shield Plant, and the Sikhotin Shield Plant, are suitable for garden beds.

• Bracken Fern- is an extremely useful plant. It will always come in handy at home. Many home garden owners prefer this particular fern. It has an attractive aroma due to its high tannin content. Due to this property, fern leaves are used to store garden crops. Vegetables, fruits and berries are laid on Orlyak leaves, then the crops are covered with them.
  The shape of the branches of the bracken fern is lush and spreading. The leaves are hard, three-pinnate. Its height is no more than 0.5 - 0.6 m. The root is branched and horizontal. The plant is unpretentious by nature and can grow even in the most depleted areas. Below, if you look closely at the lower pairs of leaves, you can see a nectary. It attracts ants. The spores are located on the bottom of the leaf; for additional protection, its edges are curled;

• Fern Ostrich- This species is characterized by vertical, erect leaves. They are quite dense and can reach a height of 2 m. The leaves grow in rows in a circle. In the center there are smaller ones - spore-bearing ones. Dark spore points are attached to their back. The root system is underground and rapidly developing. There are several types of Ostrich fern: Oriental and Common. The common Ostrich is not afraid of frost, which cannot be said about the Eastern Ostrich. The fragile plant does not tolerate winds and needs constant moisture.
  The shape of the fern resembles a bouquet of ostrich feathers, hence its name. Gardeners often grow this species for its ornamental value. The leaves look great in floral arrangements;

• Kochedyzhnik— there are several types: Women's, Chinese, Nippon, Burgundy Laze. All ferns from this subspecies are shade-loving and can grow in one place for up to 10-15 years. The soil must be well-groomed and fertilized in advance. Kochedyzhnik is not afraid of frost.
  Female Kochedyzhnik has green shoots. They are very delicate to the touch and have a feathery complex shape. The petioles grow up to 1 m in length. The root of the plant is short and thickened. The Chinese Kochedyzhnik, like the female one, reaches a height of 1 m, but the color of its leaves has an unusual reddish tint. The Nippon variety of the plant also has an exotic purple color. Burgundy Leys is shade-loving. The darker its habitat, the richer the wine color of the leaves. It is characterized not only by the reddish color of the foliage, but also by the burgundy color of the petiole.

Garden fern can be selected for any area, both for a darkened area and for an area saturated with sunlight. The same applies to soil type. From the many species, each gardener is able to choose the one that suits him: fragrant, edible, decorative or even medicinal.

Fern in the garden planting and care

Before planting a fern, you need to know some rules for the care and maintenance of this perennial. If you want to get ready plant, then it can be dug up in the forest. This way you will be sure that it will take root, since it was grown in home latitudes. But there are others available methods on cultivation.

As for the place where the fern is planted, it needs to be planted in wide holes, no more than 0.5 m. The part of the soil that needs to be brought into the hole should be from the place where you took the shoot. The fern should be replanted immediately so that the roots do not have time to dry out. Otherwise, it will not be possible to revive the plant. The same should be taken into account in the leaves. The stems should not be wilted. Do not separate the soil from the roots; it will be better if you dig up the fern in such a way that a lump of soil remains on the rhizome.

Growing ferns in the garden

Ferns can be grown in gardens in several ways: by separating a fragment from the rhizome of a growing fern, by budding, and by growing from spores.

• Root separation in ferns it is carried out as follows. In the garden, in the forest or in the area where the fern grows, you find a healthy individual. An adult bush should not have dried or damaged leaves. Divide the rosettes at the root, transplant the separated part to a certain area in the garden within 24 hours. Try to save as many clods of forest soil as possible so that the plant can take root better. To transport it home, cover the fern root with moss. This way the moisture will remain in the roots.
  Plant the plant in a shaded area. Place drainage and a small amount of fertilizer on the bottom. Ferns can also take root in poor soils. But watering should be plentiful at least for the first time after transplantation (7 days);

• Budding ferns is carried out in autumn or late summer. Around the end of August, find a suitable bush. Bend the developed leaves to the ground. Sprinkle this place with about 1-1.5 cm of soil. Do not cover the main vein, leave it open.
  With the arrival of spring, several new shoots will grow in place of the buried shoot. They will need to be separated from the branch and replanted in the garden;

• Fern seeds collected in several ways. First option: break off the leaf with spores on back side. Place it in a paper bag or on a lighted windowsill until the shoot is completely dry. Once the leaves are dry, you can collect the spores and plant them in a bowl.
  Second option: take a knife, turn over a leaf of a living plant and scrape the spore-bearing sacs into a box, sheet of newspaper or some container. Next, dry the seeds and plant them in a container filled with soil (part of forest soil and part of universal or garden soil). Seeds are sown on top of the soil and watered from a spray container. Rain watering will stimulate spore growth. Next, insemination will occur, and only then small shoots will begin to appear. This usually happens on the 25th day after planting the spores. By spring, the fern is transplanted into the prepared hole to a permanent place of growth.

Planting fern in the garden

• The plant should be planted in the spring. To plant ferns in a garden plot, a shaded place is selected. As an exception, plants can be planted in a sunny area, but this should be done with species such as Female Kochedyzhnik and Male Shchitovnik. After transplantation, these groups of ferns will need to be provided with timely, abundant watering so that the plant can develop comfortably;
• The depth of the hole should be no less than the lump of earth with which you are replanting the plant. Add a drainage layer and a certain amount of fertilizer to accelerate the growth of phytomass;
• When replanting, you can use three equal parts of compost, sand and peat (humus) as fertilizer. Further, the use of universal fertilizer for garden plants is allowed. Feeding should be done once a month from May to July. It is possible more often, but no more than once every three weeks;

• The soil of the fern should be moist. This fact should be especially taken into account in the first week after transplanting a forest plant. Make sure that the plant does not “float”. An excess is detrimental to the developing root system. As you grow, also try to keep the soil moist;
• The listed types of ferns tolerate frost and cold well. But Kochedyzhnik requires additional care. It needs to be covered for the winter. It is allowed to use fallen leaves, peat, and spruce branches.

Why does the fern dry out in the garden?

Despite the fact that fern is a perennial plant, any disease can lead to its wilting and, as a result, its death.

One of the common cases of fern decline is the gradual drying out of the plant. This can happen for the following reasons:

• Incorrect plant maintenance. Fern loves shade; only some varieties are capable of receiving sunlight. Perhaps this fact influences the drying of the stems. This can be corrected by replanting the plant. Insufficient moisture supply can also affect leaf drying. Before planting, it is recommended to prepare a drainage layer;
• Incorrect watering. In the first week after planting in the garden, the fern needs to be watered abundantly. If you fill it with water, the leaves may turn yellow. If the fern grows in a shaded garden area, but the air is very dry, then it also needs to be watered additionally. For irrigation you need to use water without chlorine and lime;

Choose a time to periodically inspect all the plants in your area. This can extend their lifespan and the lushness of your garden. By following these simple tips along with the rules for planting and propagation, you will admire forest plant on his site for not a single dozen years.

This plant has been known to mankind for a very long time. Many endow it with mystical and magical properties. However, it is actually a simple perennial plant with a beautiful appearance. And those who still think that the fern blooms are mistaken. No, no again. This plant never blooms or produces fruit. But even without this, the fern looks gorgeous in any area and in any garden composition.

In this article we will look at the features and description of fern, and note the most popular types of this plant. We will also tell you in more detail about the main and important nuances agricultural cultivation techniques.

Features and description of garden fern

Fern is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Osmundaceae family. There are indoor, forest, Indian, Thai, garden ferns and many others. All these varieties have their own growth characteristics. The homeland of this plant is considered to be the territory of China, Korea, and the Far East. The fern feels great in the climatic conditions of Russia and other CIS countries.

The fern is the oldest plant on our planet, growing at the same time as fossil dinosaurs. The fern got its name from the similarity of its leaf blades to a wing, because in translation from Greek “preton” means “wing.”

Due to the fact that this is a very ancient plant, there have always been many legends and beliefs around the fern. The most important and well-known thing concerns the holiday of Ivan Kupala. It is on this holiday, according to legend, that the fern blooms. The moment the fern blooms, all the hidden treasures can be seen. Our ancestors believed in this and many believe now. According to another legend, the goddess Venus dropped her beautiful hair and in the place where it fell, a fern grew with its wonderful leaves. There is another legend. According to her, the fern appeared in the place where it fell beautiful girl. There appeared a clean, beautiful spring with a fern growing near it.

Description of fern:

• The fern plant is a perennial herbaceous bush that is so familiar to our people.
• In appearance, the fern resembles the wings of a large bird.
• This is a herb that varies depending on the specific species. May be dwarf plant, and the size of a large tree.
• The plant consists of an underground part and an above-ground part.
• The underground part of the fern is represented by a medium-sized root.
• The stem of the fern is dense and consists of wire tissue.
• The plant has no leaves. What we used to call fern foliage is a primitive leaf blade. In scientific language they are called fronds, which are formed from buds in the rhizome.
• The leaf plate consists of complex system stems.
• It is on the fronds that spores ripen, which serve the plant for reproduction. Fern seeds are precisely spores.
• The height of the upper part of the fern can vary, from 3 cm for dwarf species to 80-150 cm for tall ones. In nature there are species with even larger sizes.
• The fern has healing properties, and can also be used for food.
• Fern is considered an ideal plant for the shady corners of your site, because it does not require much effort in planting and care.

Species diversity of fern in the garden

Today there are more than 200 species of fern, which consist of more than 10,000 varieties. 150 species of this plant come from tropical countries, so they can only be grown at home. The rest feel great in the middle temperate climate. Next, we’ll take a closer look at the most common types of ferns that you can grow in your garden without any problems.

Maidenhair fern

There are several varieties of this fern.

• Adiantum stop-shaped. The birthplace of this type of fern is the Primorsky Territory. Its leaves form a beautifully shaped bush, which can reach 50-60 cm in height. The leaf blades have an openwork shape of yellow-green color. The fronds of the maidenhair plant form unique tiers, as they are located horizontally. The root system is creeping, but grows rather slowly. This type of fern tolerates strong winter frosts. Propagated by dividing the bush.
• Adiantum venus hair. This species has poor winter hardiness, so it can only be grown in warm areas. The leaves of the maidenhair maidenhair form spores on the lower part, which serve for the reproduction of the species.

Leaf fern

There are several subspecies of this fern.

• Japanese leaflet. In appearance it differs significantly from ordinary ferns. All its leaf plates - fronds - grow in different directions, creating an unusual shape of the plant. The fronds are dark green in color. This species is short-growing, reaching only 40 cm in height. Japanese leaflet is excellent for decorating various rockeries, alpine slides, reservoirs and ponds.
• Scolopendra leaflet. The homeland of this type of fern is considered to be the territory of Western Europe, namely mountain forests. It is distinguished by leaf plates without dissection. The fronds are long and dark green. However, this species has varieties with openwork leaves.

Multirow fern

• It has a horizontal, superficial rhizome that forms only one growing point.
• The rhizome is characterized by poor branching, so the distribution of this fern is not as wide as other species.
• The homeland of this species is considered to be Holland, from where seedlings of this plant are brought.
• Another feature of the multi-row fern is its green foliage even in winter.
• The fronds are very delicate and feathery. In early spring they are curled up like snails, which creates a very beautiful picture.
• There are several varieties of this fern: multirow Brown fern, multirow bristle fern.

Nomadic fern

It is also represented by a large number of varieties with different foliage colors, which can vary from green to brown and reddish.

• Female Kochedyzhnik. This variety of nomadic plant is distinguished by the average size of the plant. It can grow up to 30-70 cm depending on the specific variety. The fronds are heavily combed and collected into separate bunches, which creates a very impressive appearance for the fern. The root system is quite short. The tubercles with spores are covered with a peculiar velvet covering. He is a long-liver.
• Kochedyzhnik “Burgundy Lace”. From the name it becomes clear that the color of the fronds of this plant resembles Burgundy wine. This plant will look spectacular in any landscape design.
• Nippon Kochedyzhnik. It also has a rather unusual foliage shade. This plant is silvery with red veins. This type of fern prefers to grow in the shade. Propagated by root suckers.

Male shield fern

• A fairly common type of fern that can be found in our forests.
• Its height can range from 30 cm to 150 cm, depending on the specific variety.
• The root system of this species is quite powerful and strong.
• From the growing points in the roots, feathery leaf plates are formed, which form a funnel-shaped rosette.
• The leaves or fronds of the male shield grow very slowly. They reach their full development only in the third year.
• On the fronds, in their lower part, tubercles with spores are formed, which, like a shield, are covered with a kind of blanket.

Common ostrich fern

• A fairly common type of fern that can be found on river banks and in shady forests on almost all continents.
• This perennial plant is very popular among landscape designers and serves as an excellent decoration for any site.
• The rhizome of the common ostrich is thick and powerful. Underground shoots extend from it, from which young ferns grow. This is how this type of fern reproduces, by root suckers.
• A distinctive feature of this species is the presence of two varieties of leaves. Some are called sterile. With their help, a beautiful rosette up to 150 cm in height is formed. The second ones are spore-bearing. There can be only a few of them on one plant. They differ in appearance and are very similar to an ostrich feather.
• This plant is very unpretentious and grows quickly, which requires constant thinning.

Common bracken fern

• This type of fern is edible.
• The distribution of this species is quite wide; it is absent only in very dry areas.
• The leaves resemble the wings of a large bird in their appearance.
• Fern fronds have a specific tannic smell. They are also poisonous to pets.
• The plant can reach 30-70 cm in height.
• The root system of the plant is long and superficial.
• At the bottom of the plant's frond there are tubercles with spores.
• The stems and roots of this fern are used in folk medicine.

Reproduction of garden fern: common methods

Propagating ferns is different from propagating many other garden plants. It does not bloom or produce seeds. It is characterized by reproduction by spores, as well as vegetatively. Vegetative propagation of fern includes division of the bush, rhizomatous shoots and brood buds. Let's take a closer look at all these methods and their features.

Fern reproduction by spores

• This method is the most common, but not the simplest.
• It is through spores that ferns reproduce in nature, forming large thickets in a short time.
• Spores can be collected from an adult plant, or can be purchased at a specialty store.
• Spores form on the back of fern leaf blades, where they are contained in small dark-colored tubercles. However, not all leaves have sporangia on their surface.
• To extract the spores, it is necessary to cut off part of the leaf with such tubercles and place it in a paper bag.
• The sheet should remain in this bag until it dries.
• Spores need to be collected in the spring.
• Around January, after drying, small brown dust particles of spores need to be collected from the bag.
• Prepare containers for sowing into which you need to fill a suitable soil substrate consisting of peat, leaf soil and sand.
• Next, you need to carefully scatter the spores over the surface. There is no need to cover them with soil.
• Lightly moisten the surface with a spray bottle and cover the containers with glass or film.
• Spores begin to germinate a month after planting. The glass will need to be removed and the seedlings allowed to breathe air. At this stage they resemble moss.
• Caring for sprouts involves daily spraying.
• After some time, the male and female sprouts unite and then a full-fledged fern seedling begins to form, which can already be transplanted into separate pots.
• In spring, you can plant seedlings in open ground.

Reproduction by dividing the bush

• This method is the simplest and fastest.
• It is best suited for popular fern species such as common ostrich and common bracken.
• It is best to divide the fern bush in early spring, after the last frost has gone.
• It is necessary to select fern bushes with a large number of rosettes. You can even find such a plant in the forest.
• Next, carefully dig out and divide into parts.
• Young plants should be planted in a permanent place immediately, since most seedlings will not tolerate long-term storage.

Fern propagation by rhizomatous shoots or tendrils

• This propagation method is suitable for ferns that have ground antennae.
• For example, the fern Nephrolepis sublime.
• In the spring, these plants produce rhizomatous tendrils, from which young plants may emerge in the future.
• Several antennae need to be buried in soil and watered. After some time, young fern shoots will appear.

Reproduction by budding

• This method is the most labor-intensive and is suitable only for some types of fern, for example, multi-row fern.
• Buds form on the leaves of this species, from which young plants subsequently emerge.
• These buds need to be disconnected and planted in damp moss, while covering them with jars.
• After some time, the buds will sprout and become small sprouts.
• The babies need to be watered at all times.
• A month after rooting, the plants can be planted in a permanent place.

Stages of preparation before planting fern

Although fern is considered an unpretentious plant, to obtain a beautiful and decorative decoration The garden must be carefully prepared before planting. It is important to purchase high-quality and healthy fern seedlings, as well as choose a suitable place on your site for the growth of this plant.

Stage 1. Selection of planting material

• First you need to determine what type and variety of fern you want to purchase. Lower varieties of this plant are ideal for decorating rockeries, mixborders, and alpine slides. Tall ferns look great as solitaires and centerpieces in garden arrangements.
• The next step is to determine how to obtain fern seedlings. You can grow seedlings yourself from spores or by dividing a bush if you already have this plant on your site.
• If you don’t have this opportunity, you can buy fern seedlings without any problems.
• Purchase planting material only from specialized stores or agricultural firms that professionally breed plants.
• Seedlings with foliage are usually available for sale. Therefore, when purchasing, pay attention to the condition of the foliage and its color. There should be no stains or visible damage. The leaves should be approximately the same length. There should also be no dry parts.

Stage 2. Selecting a landing site

The right place for planting garden fern is the key to the successful growth of this ornamental plant.

• First of all, for this plant you need to select shady place, however, if possible, it would be better to have shade with small glimpses of the sun. For example, a fern can be planted near a large garden tree.
• Remember that ferns do not like strong winds and drafts at all.
• Alternatively, ferns can be planted along the north side of a house or other buildings.
• An excellent place for planting ferns is along water bodies or ponds that are in the shade.
• For these plants, the presence of fallen trees or stones on the site is ideal. This way you can create a unique composition.

Stage 3. Selection and preparation of soil

Fern is considered a soil-unpretentious plant, but for full growth it is still necessary to provide the optimal composition. It is best to plant ferns on loose and light soils. Remember that the soil should be well moistened, but the water should not stagnate. This can cause the fern roots to begin to rot. Therefore, to drain the soil you need to use clean river sand.

Ferns grow very quickly and strongly, so you can bury about 20 cm of slate around the perimeter of the selected area in advance.

Technology for planting garden ferns in open ground

• Ferns are planted in the garden in the spring, when the last frosts have gone and the earth has warmed up well.
• In the selected area, it is necessary to prepare planting holes. Their size should be at least twice the size of the root system of your seedling.
• Consider the distance between the holes. If you have chosen tall varieties of fern, then the distance should be at least 30 cm.
• Next, prepare soil mixture, which should consist of peat, deciduous soil and sand.
• You can add a little compost to the prepared hole.
• Pots with seedlings need to be filled with water, then carefully remove the young fern. Try not to touch the fronds or shake off all the soil from the roots.
• Next, all the seedlings need to be placed in the holes, carefully straightening the roots. In this case, soil from the previous place of growth must remain on the root system.
• Gently cover the plants with soil.
• The fern should be positioned level and stable.
• The soil around the fern needs to be mulched with peat.

Agricultural technology for growing ferns: secrets and nuances of care

No special care is needed for ferns, but it is still worth paying attention to it occasionally. Moist soil, a shady area and fertilizing will help you grow beautiful ferns in the garden.

Watering the fern

Moist soil is perhaps the main condition for normal fern growth. In the first months after planting, water young plant need regularly and abundantly. A large number of The plant also needs water in particularly dry summers. During watering, you can sprinkle the fern fronds.

Loosening and mulching

After each watering, it is necessary to loosen the soil around the plant. This will make it looser and lighter. At the same time, you can remove weeds that interfere with the full growth of the fern. After loosening and watering, the soil around the plant must be mulched. This will prevent excessive evaporation of moisture and will also reduce the number of weeds. You can use spruce needles or paws as mulch, which are also useful for the root system of the fern.

Fern feeding

There is no special need for fertilizers when growing various types of ferns, but a small amount will not harm them. Best used liquid fertilizers and solutions during the period of active vegetation and growth of fronds, as well as during the formation of offspring. Complex mineral fertilizers and a solution of organic fertilizers can be used as fertilizers.

Fern update

Once every 1-2 years, ferns need to be thinned out, as they grow and expand very quickly. Old and damaged sockets are usually removed. This should be done in the spring and very carefully. In this way, you can simultaneously multiply this plant.

Preparing for winter

Many types of ferns thrive in our winter conditions, but there are ferns that must be covered with the onset of frost. First of all, the soil around the plant needs to be mulched with straw or fallen leaves. Next, carefully cover the entire bush with a layer of straw, over which you need to stretch the covering material.

Using ferns in landscape design

All types of ferns are widely used in decorating and landscaping areas. This plant can give the garden an atmosphere of forest and natural nature.

• The fern looks great near artificial ponds and reservoirs. On the banks you can create interesting compositions with ferns. It's good if it grows nearby garden tree, so the fern will get shade.
• Ferns are great for creating rockeries and rutarii. IN Lately It is fashionable to create a natural environment on the site. Therefore, you can place a fallen tree, a stump, a couple of stones on the site and plant a fern.
• Along the northern walls of a house or outbuildings, the fern will feel especially good, while creating incredible beauty.

Photo of fern in landscape design

You can more clearly see all the beauty and ways to use fern in decorating a site in the photos below.

Ferns along the paths

Fern on the shore of a pond

Garden composition with fern

Fern combined with trees

Such a familiar fern is simply irreplaceable plant to create interesting and unusual compositions on your site. With a little effort, you can easily grow this ancient plant in your garden.

To fill shaded areas in the garden, for example, under the sloping crowns of trees or on the north side of buildings, the cultivation of certain plants is required. How to properly plant and provide further care in open ground or in a flowerpot for various varieties of ferns known for their shade tolerance will be described in detail in the article.

Description of the crop, its known varieties and varieties

About 200 of these wonderful plants are known in the world, most of which are inhabitants of tropical forests. If you look in general at the various types of ferns, you can note the following biological features of the plant:

• Perennial herbaceous shrub.
• Externally, a fern can look like either short grass or a rather impressive tree.
• Under the ground there is a medium-sized creeping rhizome.
• Above the surface is a dense stem consisting of wire tissue.
• The crop does not have real leaves. The so-called fronds - primitive leaf plates - extend from the stem. Their formation occurs in the roots in the spring.

fern bush

• Reproduction occurs with the help of spores located in brown bulges, clearly visible in the photo of the underside of the leaves.
• Ferns make ideal plants for shady corners.
• Planting is possible both in open ground and in flowerpots.

Attention! Growing heat-loving representatives in middle lane possible only in the room.

They thrive in open ground in temperate climates. the following types and varieties:

How to plant a plant and care for it

Although the plant is not a capricious plant, to obtain beautiful, lush bushes, certain requirements must be met.

• The place in the open ground where planting will take place should be in the shade. In the sun, the plant withers and can quickly die.
• The soil in the place of planned cultivation should be loose, since the roots of the plant are demanding of the presence of air.

Advice. If fern shoots are dug up in the forest, you need to take some soil from the same area and pour it into the planting hole.

• Absolutely all varieties prefer moist soils. Therefore, caring for the plant should include abundant and frequent watering. At the same time, stagnation of water is unacceptable. Planting must be accompanied by good drainage. Can be added to water for irrigation 2-3 times per season mineral fertilizer.

Fern spores

• It is advisable to plant ferns in a flowerbed in open ground in the spring, as soon as the fronds begin to bloom. In warm weather, with good care, the plant takes root well.
• Planting should take place immediately after digging up the shoot, so that the roots do not have time to dry out and the leaves wither.
• The main care for ferns is timely watering. You especially need to monitor this in the first year after planting and during hot, dry periods.

It is very good if it is possible to mulch the soil under the plant with pine needles. This will keep the soil loose and moist, which will have a positive effect on strengthening the root system. Of course, maintenance includes regular removal of old or broken leaves. This will not only give the plant an aesthetic appearance, but will also contribute to the growth of new vines.

Varieties such as leaf and kochedednik are not particularly frost-resistant. For the winter they need to be covered with leaves or a small layer of peat.

Fertilizer, fertilizing, and methods of fern propagation

On fertile soils there is no need to feed ferns. It is best to apply fertilizer on depleted soil in advance, when preparing the flower bed in the fall. Organic and mineral complexes containing nitrogen are suitable.

When planting a fern, you can pour a little peat into the hole, which will act as a fertilizer and soil loosener at the same time.

Gardeners propagate ferns using three methods:

• separation of root suckers;
• budding;
• disputes.

Fern loves moist soils

The first method is the fastest and easiest. It is most often used for propagation of all varieties. The main thing here is good watering after separation of the shoot.

The second method is more labor-intensive and is suitable only for some species, for example, multi-row, which is capable of forming buds on the leaves. They are detached and germinated in damp moss. A fairly common method is reproduction by spores. They are collected by scraping from the leaf, dried and scattered over the surface of the substrate. Care consists of daily spraying. After a month, the spores germinate and next season the plants can be planted in the ground.

What plants do ferns combine with in the garden and what diseases and pests threaten them?

Thanks to the beauty of openwork leaves and bushes in general, ferns occupy a place of honor in the design of the site. Photos of such compositions turn out very natural and beautiful.

Attention! The rhizome of the fern quickly spreads across the area, so it is necessary to install limiters.

The combination of ferns with lilies and arrowheads near the pond will give the area a special charm. In shady rock gardens, you can place low varieties next to flowering creeping plants, such as periwinkle.

You don’t need to feed the fern

We can say that the combination of ferns in the garden is possible with any shade-tolerant plants: hostas, astilbe, snotweed, etc.

The plant is not affected by diseases if the rules of care are followed. Pests include slugs and caterpillars that damage leaves.

Fern can be called bright decoration a shady area that does not require much attention. Its cultivation is accessible to absolutely everyone, even gardeners with no experience.

Growing ferns in the garden: video

Ferns are considered ancient plants that began to grow on earth many thousands of years before the appearance of humans. It can decorate the landscape of a garden plot.

According to legend, the fern blooms once a year and has mystical properties. In fact, this plant never blooms.

There are more than 10,000 species of this plant, so when decorating their garden, summer residents have a wide choice. There are ferns that grow on trees and on the ground.

The most common types of this plant include:

1. Common ostrich. The plant can be seen in many corners of the planet; it is called so because of its feathery leaves, reminiscent of openwork pattern made of ostrich feathers, reaching 1.5 m. With the onset of spring, the foliage of the fern is rolled up in the form of a cocoon; with warming, it blossoms and turns into a magnificent cone. Its vertical root system requires that it be periodically loosened and mulched in the fall. This most spectacular perennial species forms lush thickets.
2. U common bracken the height reaches 70 cm, it grows well on dry and “poor” soil. The appearance of the plant's horizontal long leaves resembles an eagle's wing. It is dangerous for pets due to the presence of toxic substances, but will not cause harm to humans.
3. Female Kochedyzhnik. The plant is characterized by dissected leaves collected in bunches. Under natural conditions, it forms hummocks in swamps. The size of the plant will depend on its variety (30-70 cm), the root system is thick and short. It can grow without being transplanted to another place for more than ten years.
4. Male shieldweed. In nature, it grows in the forest in a shaded place, reaching a height of 30-150 cm. Spores appear on the underside of the leaf, and they are covered, like a shield, with kidney-shaped spathes.

In the photo is a common ostrich

The listed garden fern species are frost-resistant plants and do not require shelter in winter.

Tropical fern species are best grown indoors.

Heat-loving species of fern, such as holoculus and Linnaeus's shield, require protection from the cold in winter.

Landing conditions

It is important to decide on a place for the fern before planting. Gardeners consider shaded areas to be the most suitable. The soil should not be too heavy and well moistened.

Such parameters will create ideal conditions for growth. If you plant a fern in a sunny place, it will not reach the required size and will be weak. A well-chosen place and proper care will allow you to grow a beautiful plant.

Ferns require virtually no fertilizer. It can be safely planted in an area where other flowers do not take root. For giant species, up to 30 cm should be left between holes intended for planting. This distance can be either increased or decreased.

The photo shows a fern planting

When planting, pay attention to whether other plants will interfere with the fern's growth.

If it has extensive roots, then it is better to provide a spacious area, and also put restrictions for root growth, decorated like an ordinary fence.

When the planting site has already been chosen, it is necessary to prepare the soil and the plant itself for planting. Ferns are also planted in the fall; before planting, a pot with rhizomes is placed in the hole.

After the air bubbles disappear, you need to pull out the root and plant it in the ground. The hole is also moistened before planting. Make sure that some of the soil in which the plant previously grew remains on the rhizome. If the plant grew at home, the soil is taken from a flowerpot, if in the forest, then the soil will be forest soil.

By choosing the right soil, you “help” the plant to take root faster. It is better not to touch the foliage so as not to disturb the decorative appearance of the fern.

Having straightened the roots in the hole, you need to cover them with soil and water them with settled water. Plants in pots, planted throughout the year.

Reproduction methods

Fern propagation is possible in 3 main ways:

1. The easiest way is to divide the bush. It is based on dividing the bulbs and then planting them on a marked area. It is preferable to carry out such work in the spring. When storing a divided bush over the winter, not all specimens can survive it.
2. Reproduction rhizome tendrils. In this way, species of ferns that grow tendrils are planted. Thus, cordifolia nephrolepis has the appearance of above-ground shoots that spread along the ground. They are buried 8-12 cm into the ground, watered intensively and soon a new plant appears.
3. Reproduction brood buds. This is the most time-consuming and least productive method. For planting, separate the buds (these are small tubercles on the bottom of the leaf), place them on peat soil or on moss, moisturizing daily. Then each spore is covered with a jar and put in a warm place. Within a short period of time, the “babies” take root, and after a month they are planted in the soil as a full-fledged plant.

Fern propagation by brood buds

The video explains how to plant ferns correctly:

plant seedlings

It is better to plant in open ground seeds that have previously been grown to the desired size. A peat-earth mixture is most suitable for fern growth, because from it it will receive the necessary components in order to grow and develop the root system.

Different varieties are planted in each box and additional nutrients are added. Different kinds plants need appropriate fertilizers - compost, nitrogen, chalk and other substances.

Each package with a specific grade has an inscription indicating suitable minerals, which can be purchased at garden store. If the gardener collected spores himself, you should not apply any fertilizer.

If the plant species is unknown, it may react unpredictably.

The soil is heated; for this purpose, the vessel with it is placed on water vapor and heated repeatedly. It is recommended not to deepen the seeds, but only sprinkle them with soil on top.

How to care for a plant

Garden fern belongs to unpretentious plants, easy to care for. The plant requires abundant watering and mulch, that is, it must be sprinkled at the base with sawdust or stale leaves to a depth of 3-5 cm.

It is especially recommended to sprinkle with sawdust or dead leaves in the fall, since then you will protect the fern from the cold and from pests. In spring, such a “blanket” will become a good fertilizer for fern plants. Young shoots will be able to break through this cover.

Will amaze you with its beauty

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Here you can find a drawing sliding gates for making it yourself, as well as a step-by-step master class with detailed photos.

Such plants do not need pruning even in autumn and spring. This is because the leaves cover the ground, creating additional protection. By spring they dry out and can be used as fertilizer.

Shoots that are broken or affected by some disease need pruning to prevent its spread.

Top dressing

Ferns do not need to be fed with fertilizers. But fertilizers provide plants with useful minerals and also promote good growth. Ferns are usually fed with the onset of spring, as well as the appearance of the first shoots.

If you notice wilted, dried or yellowed leaves, there is no need to replant the plant immediately. It may not have enough nutrients, so you should purchase any type of mineral fertilizer.

It is better if it is liquid, then when watering it will be easy to add to the soil.

During periods of drought, you need to increase the watering rate, which will prevent the leaves from withering. Plant care can also be supplemented with loosening. To do this, you need to have special devices, but you should not deepen it too much, so as not to damage the large root system of the fern.

Preparing for winter

In winter, only heat-loving plant species, such as holocaria, shield grass and others, are covered. They protect from the cold in those regions that are characterized by cold and long winters, using peat and dry leaves for this.

If the plant is not frost-resistant, it is covered with a film on top, covered with leaves or spruce branches are placed on top.

How is the plant used in landscape design?

The plant can be dwarf (no more than 3 cm), or large, reaching the size of a tree. But even a low specimen has a spreading root system.

Landscape designers take this factor into account when planting other plants nearby. They must be compatible in size, that’s when the fern will stand out among them.

In a summer cottage, a plant will always find its place

Using this plant, gardeners create beautiful landscape compositions from its different varieties, combining various forms and color shades. If there is a pond on the site, the fern will look great next to it in a composition with other flowers (lilies, arrowheads).

Marsilia fern can be planted in water at a depth of 50-70 cm. Its openwork leaves will add charm to the water surface. The plant will perfectly decorate an alpine hill.

Fern is planted on the site on the northern, shady side, as it does not tolerate temperatures above 25 degrees. For example, they can decorate the walls of a house.

Some of the plant species have medicinal qualities and can be used in cooking. To do this, use young shoots of the plant, which are boiled for 10-15 minutes before use.

The less gardeners disturb and replant ferns, the more luxurious they grow.

Garden fern, which is easy to plant and care for, is an excellent crop that gives a finished look to any landscape composition. A representative of the department of vascular plants, which witnessed the life of dinosaurs and other extinct species of flora and fauna, is loved by many gardeners and landscapers.

Types of ferns to grow in the garden

Ferns representing the Aspleniaceae family number more than 10 thousand species, which are classified according to their habitat.

• Forest - a group that prefers acidic, moist soils and is characterized by tall growth.
• Rocky - low-growing representatives, differing in different requirements for soil and lighting, depending on the specific species
• Swamp - this class of ferns can be found on the banks of reservoirs, where there is very high humidity soil

Forest ferns are usually cultivated as garden ferns.

Among the most popular species and varieties, which are particularly decorative, the following deserve attention:

• Adiantum foot-shaped - a common representative, reaching a height of 30 cm, has horizontally arranged yellow-green openwork leaves (fronds).
• Japanese leaf is a kind of fern with fronds of different directions, creating a special randomness that gives the landscape composition extravagance.
• Ostrich is a tall variety that can reach 1.5 m in height and is well known to many gardeners. Fronds in the form of light green ostrich feathers are distinguished by their grace and high decorative qualities, which will decorate any area.
• Kochedyzhnik is a variety that combines ferns of not only green, but also red flowers, which perfectly complement landscape composition, made with a predominance of burgundy - for example, the red wine-colored variety Burgundy Lace.
• Centipede is an excellent plant for alpine slides and other stone art objects, having a creeping root system that allows the gardener to independently set the direction of development for the fern.

Planting in open ground

When carrying out planting work, it is necessary to take into account the following important points, such as preparing holes, choosing a place and time.

Site selection and soil preparation

In order for the culture to develop well, it is necessary to select a shady area with light and moist soil, where there is plenty of free space.

The fern does not need preliminary soil preparation if its structure is loose enough. When heavy soils Humus and river sand should be added when digging.

How and when to plant?

Perfectly adapting to new conditions, the fern survives planting throughout the entire growing season.

When landing, adhere to the following algorithm:

1. A hole is dug, the dimensions of which depend on the root system of the planted specimen.
2. A drainage layer is placed in the hole and lightly crushed with excavated soil.
3. Next, the fern with a clod of earth is immersed, which allows the plant to take root faster.
4. Free spaces are filled with a substrate of excavated soil, peat and sand in a ratio of 2:2:1.
5. The soil around the plant is compacted and well moistened.

Attention! When planting, it is necessary to carefully handle the fronds, damage to which leads to the plant losing its decorative properties.

Garden ferns: care

Garden fern is an undemanding crop, so taking care of it will not cause the gardener much trouble.

Watering and soil moisture

One of the main parameters is soil moisture, which must remain loose, preventing water from stagnating. During the period of active growth, the fern is watered to maintain the required level of humidity. To retain moisture for a longer period, you can mulch the area around the plant.

Feeding and fertilizers

Fertilizer application is not a mandatory agrotechnical measure. But to get something beautiful, lush bush, which will decorate shady recreation areas, in early spring the fern is fed with organic or mineral fertilizers.

How and when to replant ferns?

Plant transplantation can be carried out throughout the season, however optimal time It is considered early spring, when the shoots have just begun to develop.

During the procedure:

1. A hole is prepared of such a size that it allows not to restrict the straightened roots of the transplanted specimen.
2. The hole is filled with water, into which the fern and a lump of old soil are immediately dropped.
3. The plant is buried in such a way that the root collar rises 1-2 cm above ground level.

Pests and diseases - how to treat them?

Ferns are rarely attacked by harmful organisms.

However, sometimes the plant exhibits:

• whitefly;
• spider mite;
• mealybug;
• and scale insects.

They must be dealt with immediately. As effective means insecticides are used, the solution of which is used to spray the crop.

Among the diseases that can develop on ferns are rot caused by the plant growing in constantly moist soil with poor drainage. At the beginning of the development of fungal diseases, it is possible to carry out treatments with fungicides, which are powerless in a neglected state.

Features of reproduction

The fern reproduces by dividing the bush and spores that form on the back side of the frond.

Dividing the bush

When transplanting, the bush is divided, in which:

1. The day before the procedure, the area around the fern is moistened.
2. An adult plant is removed from the soil and divided into several parts, each of which must have at least one apical shoot.
3. The cuttings are planted in prepared holes and covered with substrate, after which they are watered abundantly.

Reproduction by spores

You can get new plants by sowing spores in early January as follows:

1. A plastic box with drainage holes at the bottom is filled with a calcined substrate with a 4 cm layer of sand, peat and leaf soil in a ratio of 1:1:2.
2. Spores are distributed over the soil surface.
3. The container is covered with cellophane and moved to a warm, bright place, where bottom watering is provided to the crops.
4. After the shoots emerge, the cellophane is removed.
5. At the end of winter, the plants are transferred to a greenhouse, from which they are transplanted into open ground after the onset of stable warmth and the disappearance of the threat of return frosts.

Main problems when growing

As a rule, growing garden ferns is not difficult.

However, there are situations when a gardener notes the following:

1. Spotting of shoots is a manifestation of rot, the development of which is associated with stagnation of water in the soil.
2. Withering, yellowing and drying of leaves is due to too poor soil or an incorrectly selected place where the destructive rays of the open sun fall.

Thus, the garden fern will become an exquisite decoration of the garden plot with minimal care, which will not require enormous effort from the gardener.

Ferns can be found from coniferous forests to the tropics, in almost all natural and climatic zones. The garden fern is most often a native inhabitant of the same area where the garden plot is located.

This selection of crops allows you not to worry about acclimatization of plants and creating for them special conditions content. In addition, ferns growing in Russia are no less decorative and attractive than tropical species, but they are much easier to care for.

Which garden ferns should you choose? Are there species in our forests worthy of decorating an alpine hill, flower bed or group planting of conifers?

Ferns in the garden: unpretentious species

If at home gardeners often grow exotic species, then in the garden there is a perfect place for plants that are more adapted to frosty winters, hot summers, cold autumn rains and other vicissitudes of the Russian climate. And there are many such species of ferns that adapt to planting and caring for the dacha.

One of the first can be called asplenium. Although many ferns belonging to this genus are quite thermophilic, there are varieties whose openwork leaves tolerate wintering well in the middle zone. Plants prefer partial shade, where they readily form rosettes of medium-sized but very attractive leaves that remain decorative from early spring until snow falls.

Low-growing woodsia is a medium-sized garden fern that in nature prefers to settle on rocky ledges and even on old walls. The height of the crown of small fluffy leaves, depending on the species, reaches only 5–20 centimeters. Moreover, the plant belongs to the long-growing ferns, and in one place it exists perfectly for up to three decades.

Kochedyzhnik forms a dense bush up to a meter high. The peculiarity of this fern growing in the garden is the constant formation of new foliage.

Bracken is rightfully considered one of the most widespread ferns in the world. Its clumps can be found in the Arctic lands and in Australia. For the middle zone, this native species is perfect as a garden crop. The trifoliate carved leaves rise high above the ground level and can become a refuge for early bulbous plants. When planting a fern in the garden and caring for it, bracken is able to grow quickly. Therefore, it is important to immediately take measures to ensure that the crop does not go beyond the boundaries of the area allocated to it.

Osmunda or Chistoust is the largest representative of the family in central Russia and the south of Russia. In nature, it can only be found in the forest zone of the Caucasus and eastern Asia. And in a garden where a fern grows, it will become the center of a flowerbed located in a damp corner.

On alpine roller coaster another unpretentious garden fern will find its place. This is a bladderwort - a small shade-tolerant plant with graceful foliage that disappears in the winter.

Planting and caring for garden ferns

To decorate the garden with ferns, plants from the neighboring grove and from the garden center are suitable.

But if in the first case, a carefully dug bush falls into the ground almost instantly, and the gardener may not take measures to additionally protect the roots, then the fern brought from afar is in danger of drying out and dying.

To protect the plant from loss of moisture, which is critical for the crop, before transporting the rhizomes, wrap them in damp cloth or moss, without disturbing the remaining earthen lump. If the leaves droop before planting, they will not regain their elasticity even after watering. To simplify further care, garden ferns are planted immediately.

The location is chosen so that the greenery does not suffer from direct sunlight, and the soil retains low moisture as long as possible. Plants are undemanding to the composition of the soil, the main thing is that the substrate is loose. Sandy loam mixtures with a high humus content are well suited.

If the plant is taken from the forest, it is useful to collect soil here and fill the planting hole with it. This will speed up the acclimatization of the fern in the garden.

In the future, it is important to water the plant regularly every 5–7 days. And fertilize using complex products that include both organic matter and mineral supplements.

The optimal temperature for garden ferns is 15–25 °C. On summer days, especially in well-lit areas, plants require more moisture, and they respond well to watering with foliage.

If a fern planted in the garden grows quickly, then after three years it may become overgrown and require thinning and limitation. This is done in early spring, carefully removing old specimens and dividing the bushes. At the same time, you should delineate the boundaries of the area intended for garden ferns by digging a special mesh, geotextile, slate or boards to a depth of at least 20 cm.

Features of the structure and reproduction of ferns

In addition to dividing adult bushes, some ferns can be propagated by budding. This should be done in early autumn. A developed, healthy leaf blade is bent to the ground and sprinkled along the edges with moist soil so that the central vein remains exposed to the air.

A leaf of a garden fern that has overwintered in this way in the spring will give the gardener several tiny daughter rosettes. They should be separated very carefully, trying not to damage any aboveground part, nor the beginnings of roots. Plant small ferns in the garden.

If you use the structural features of ferns and their reproduction, you can wait until the spores on the back of the leaves mature.

First, the spores are dried well in paper envelopes, then, in the middle of winter, they are sown on top of the substrate collected where the fern grows. The spores will have to remain in moist soil for up to a month until the first signs of the emergence of new plants become noticeable. In February, the rosettes are transferred to a greenhouse, and when warmer weather arrives, they are transplanted into the ground to a permanent place.

Video about fern in the garden

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