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Which is Right for You By Elizabeth Kuhn In This Choosing for shade gardens can be challenging . The beauty of a native shade garden is partly in the brief bursts of color in the blooms of early spring, but more Issue often in the varying shades of and the texture of the plants throughout the summer. It is amazing to see how many can be captured by the native plants of our area. play a significant role in bringing the color and texture to a shade garden. Below we will discuss several different native ferns so you can decide which fern might be right for your garden. Native Maidenhair Fern ( pedatum) is Ferns commonly referred to as the five-fingered fern. Each "finger" makes up a finely textured that appears delicate but is quite hardy. This fern typically does not grow over 1 1/2 Comics feet tall. It spreads slowly by and can create large colonies over time. It prefers humus rich, moist, well-drained and a shady

to partially shady spot in the garden. Maidenhair Fern

Plant Sale Christmas Fern’ s ( achrostichoides) common name is derived from its evergreen Time! and is most often green at Christmas time. This

fern can tolerate dry, but prefers medium to moist,

well-drained soil. It will not do well in poorly drained

soil. Apart from its evergreen nature, this fern has

a deep green color and typically reaches 2 feet in height. It does not spread but the clumps can fill out over time.

Christmas Fern

Lady Fern ( filix-femina) features lacy-cut, light green that reach a height of 2-3 feet. This fern prefers shade to part-shade conditions with medium moisture, but will tolerate more sun if the area is kept constantly moist. Lady Fern is more tolerant of drier conditions than many of the other ferns listed here. Lady Fern, Photo Missouri Botanical Garden Both Cinnamon Fern ( cinnamomea) and Royal Fern () are suited for wet conditions, such as bordering ponds, stream sides, or . Both are clump forming, reaching 2-3 feet in height. However, in moister conditions these ferns can reach 5-6 feet tall. In fall, the yellowing fronds can be removed before winter.

Royal Fern Cinnamon Fern Photo Missouri Botanical Garden Photo Tom Barnes

Sensitive Fern ( sensibilis) is your best option for ground cover. This fern will spread to form colonies and is typically the first species to inhabit disturbed areas. The color of this fern is a paler green than most and can reach a height of 2-3 feet. In shady spots, sensitive fern can handle drier conditions, but if placed in a sunny spot it must have moist to wet, well drained soil. The common name of this fern is derived from its sensitivity to early frost.

Sensitive Fern Photo Missouri Botanical Garden Dropseed Nursery

Spring Sales 1205 S. Buckeye Lane, Goshen, KY Saturdays: April 25, May 9, 16, 23 9 am – 5 pm Also selling at Louisville Nature Center’s Gardenaganza April 26 11-4 Visit our website for directions to the nursery: http://www.dropseednursery.com Or call Margaret at 502-439-9033

Opening Day Workshops, Saturday April 25

10-12 The Invasive Trellis Jeff Richmer will guide you through making your own rustic trellis out of stems of invasive bush honeysuckle. Keep it simple, or add decorations using grape and honeysuckle . Materials provided

12-1 Wild Food Elizabeth Kuhn will present some of the native plants are edible and how they can be harvested and prepared. We will also learn about other wild edibles such as those relentless invasive plants. What better way to exterminate them than by making a meal of them!

2-3 Monarch Butterflies Blair Leano-Helvey will present detailed information about Monarchs, milkweed, and how to attract other butterfly species and beneficial insects to your yard. Blair is an entomologist specializing in biological control for and in breeding butterflies. Margaret Shea, of Dropseed Native Plant Nursery, will provide butterfly garden designs and a list of plant species used as hosts and food for a wide variety of butterflies. Butterfly garden kits will also be for sale.

Dropseed Native Plant Nursery 1205 S. Buckeye Lane Goshen, Ky 40026

502-439-9033 www.dropseednursery.com

Thanks Mary!