Companion Shrubs for an Autumn Fern
- Acidic Soil Shrubs The fronds on autumn fern are pink to reddish-colored when young. ...
- Moisture-Loving Shrubs Golden euonymus reaches a height of 6 feet and a width of 5 feet, providing a bold contrast to autumn ferns. ...
- Evergreen Shrubs Dryopteris erythrosora is an important landscape design element in many Mediterranean type climates. ...
- Deciduous Shrubs ...
How do you grow autumn ferns?
Read on to learn how to grow autumn ferns. Like all ferns, the autumn fern produces no seeds and no flowers are required. Thus, ferns are strictly foliage plants. This ancient woodland plant thrives in partial or full shade and moist, rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
What are the best plants to plant with ferns?
Astilbes are the perfect fern companion, producing similar fern-like foliage and feathery flower plumes in the summer. They are also known as False Goat’s Beard or False Spirea and enjoy the shady, moist areas of the garden and therefore grow well when paired with ferns. However, they may require a little extra water as they can be thirsty plants.
Where do you plant ferns in a garden?
Landscape Uses Autumn fern is most at home in shaded woodland gardens where it is allowed to make a solid mass, but it also holds its own in selected areas as an accent plant. Frequently it is used as a backdrop for flowering shade plants.
What kind of soil do ferns like?
Thus, ferns are strictly foliage plants. This ancient woodland plant thrives in partial or full shade and moist, rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. However, autumn fern can tolerate short periods of afternoon sunlight, but won’t perform well in intense heat or prolonged sunlight. Is autumn fern invasive?
What plants go well with ferns?
Ferns combine well in borders with other shade loving plants such as hostas, caladiums and astilbes to create a lush display of foliage. Grow them in groups of odd numbers for best effect. One of our favourite companion plants to ferns in the variegated Hosta Wide Brim.
Can you mix ferns with other plants?
Plants That Grow Well with Ferns Ferns are ideal companions in a woodland garden, where they offer a texture change when planted with other perennials such as hostas, dicentras, and caladiums. Other deer-resistant companions include astilbe, hellebore, barrenwort, and heart-leaf brunnera.
Will autumn ferns spread?
Autumn fern does not spread much so it's suitable for small spaces. It makes a good groundcover for shady borders and woodland gardens, but it can also be grown in containers and, because of its smaller size, even as a houseplant.
How far apart should autumn ferns be planted?
twenty to twenty-four inchesSpacing for the Brilliance Autumn Fern needs to be twenty to twenty-four inches, center on center. If aiming for a seamless appearance, space twenty inches, center on center.
What to grow behind ferns?
Astilbes are the perfect fern companion, producing similar fern-like foliage and feathery flower plumes in the summer. What is this? They are also known as False Goat's Beard or False Spirea and enjoy the shady, moist areas of the garden and therefore grow well when paired with ferns.
How do you landscape a fern?
Plant them in part to full shade and provide shelter from wind. Ghost ferns will not tolerate drought, so it's important to choose a planting location where the soil stays moist all season long. The plants take some time get established, but can eventually spread to cover a 2 to 3-foot area.
Should you cut back autumn ferns?
It gets cut back entirely in early spring. As soon as the fronds start looking poorly, I just remove all the old leaves an inch from the ground and allow room for the new, fresh ones to come up.
How fast do autumn ferns grow?
Autumn fern is a normal looking fern with twice divided fronds that grow about 2 feet in length. For me, plants reach 18 inches in height with a 24-inch spread in five years.
How tall does autumn fern get?
about 18 inches tallAutumn Fern can grow up to about 18 inches tall and spread 18 inches wide. Its divine foliage will remain low to the ground and grow at an average rate. Autumn Fern does best in shade to part shade areas.
How long do autumn ferns live?
Size & Growth This plant grows 18” inches tall and 18” inches wide. The growth rate of this plant is medium, and its life expectancy is around 15 years if it grows under ideal conditions. The new fronds usually have a coppery or copper-red tint to them, but ultimately turn dark green when it reaches maturity.
Does autumn brilliance fern spread?
Fern Brilliance Autumn Spreads by underground stems. Dramatic foliage provides year round interest in the garden. The Latin name for this Fern is Dryopteris erythrosora.
How much sun can an autumn fern tolerate?
The autumn fern grows well in part shade or full shade, but if it appears leggy, move it to a location where it will get a little more sunlight. The plant can tolerate up to two hours of direct sunlight.
Can you plant ferns and succulents together?
You can plant succulents and ferns together in the same garden if the climate is accommodating to both plants, but each will need custom care routines. However, succulents and ferns are generally not good companion plants for each other as they are native to different types of environments.
Can you plant ferns with flowers?
Shade-loving plants, Ferns are wonderful companion plants to Rhododendrons and Azaleas. They are both desirable and suitable additions to the splendid flowers of Azaleas or Rhododendron and give an extra dimension to the garden.
What houseplants can you plant together?
Best Houseplant CombinationsEpiscia, Calathea, & Lime Pothos. ... Peace Lily, Kalanchoe, & Arrowhead. ... St. ... Moth Orchid, Parlor Palm, Southern Maidenhair Fern & Emerald Ripple Peperomia. ... Flapjacks, 'Spaghetti Strap' Agave & 'Hope' Peperomia.More items...
What to plant with ferns in a container?
Create a shade-loving container display, using hosta and fern. This simple container feature uses only three shade-loving plants to dramatic effect. The feathery leaves of the fern arch gracefully over the edges of the pot, making a perfect foil to the blue-green leaves of the hosta.
What zone is Autumn Fern?
Also known as Japanese shield fern or Japanese wood fern, autumn fern ( Dryopteris erythrosora) is a hardy plant suitable for growing as far north as USDA hardiness zone 5.
Do ferns have flowers?
Like all ferns, the autumn fern produces no seeds and no flowers are required. Thus, ferns are strictly foliage plants. This ancient woodland plant thrives in partial or full shade and moist, rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Is Autumn Fern disease resistant?
Autumn fern tends to be disease resistant, although the plant may rot in soggy, poorly-drained soil. Pests are rarely a problem, with the exception of possible damage from slugs. Printer Friendly Version. This article was last updated on 07/20/20.
Can autumn ferns survive in heat?
However, autumn fern can tolerate short periods of afternoon sunlight, but won’t perform well in intense heat or prolonged sunlight. Is autumn fern invasive? Although autumn fern is a non-native plant, it is not known to be invasive, and growing autumn ferns in gardens couldn’t be easier.
What color are the fronds on autumn ferns?
Acidic Soil Shrubs. The fronds on autumn fern are pink to reddish-colored when young. They provide a striking contrast when planted in woodlawn gardens with both deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees that grow well in acidic soil.
How tall does an autumn fern grow?
Autumn fern grows 12 to 18 inches tall with a 24 inch spread and a leaf blade length of less than 2 inches.
What is the name of the shrub that grows in the fall?
Companion Shrubs for an Autumn Fern. Native to Asia, Autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) also known as Japanese shield fern or Japanese wood fern, is a delicate-appearing, yet tough and hardy herbaceous fern in the plant family Aspleniaceae. Autumn fern is evergreen in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11 ...
Is Euonymus a good plant for a seacoast?
Golden euonymus is tolerant of wind, heat and salt spray and is well-suited to border, foundation, edge or mass planting in seacoast environments. The hardy plant does best in a full sun to partial shade locations and requires regular watering. Golden euonymus pairs well with a planting of low-growing, colorful Japanese autumn fern.
What Conditions Do Ferns Prefer?
The condition that your fern will thrive in will depend on the type of fern you are growing. Certain ferns like the Cyrtomium falcatum species of fern prefer to grow in deeply shaded areas in your garden, while others like the Athyrium filixfemina species of fern love to be grown in full sun conditions.
What Other Plants Like The Same Conditions?
If you want to plant a few plants with your ferns, you need to find plants that will thrive in the same conditions that the ferns grow in. This can be pretty challenging depending on what ferns you have because if your ferns are shade-loving plants, you need to find another plant that can live in shady conditions but still complement the fern.
Final Thoughts
Many plants will do well growing as companion plants with your ferns as there are plenty of plants that can grow in the same condition. The plants mentioned above are the plants known among gardeners for growing well with ferns, plus they are gorgeous to look at.
1. Coral Bells
Coral Bells (Heuchera sanguinea) produce vibrant foliage in colors ranging from greens to purples, pinks, and bronze.
2. Astilbes
Astilbes are the perfect fern companion, producing similar fern-like foliage and feathery flower plumes in the summer.
3. Forget-Me-Nots
Forget-me-nots (Myotis scorpioides) are moisture-loving plants that enjoy a similar growing environment to ferns.
4. Sedges
There are more than 1,500 species of sedge plants. They are also known as graminoids because of their grass-like appearance.
5. Hostas
Hostas are shade- and moisture-loving plants that produce gorgeous foliage in various shades of green, blue, and yellow. White or purple flowers are displayed in the summer months.
6. Azaleas
This flowering shrub prefers to grow in the shade of taller plants and trees and even beside ferns. Its soil preferences are similar to ferns, preferring moist, well-draining soil types.
7. Caladiums
The tropical caladium or elephant ear grows well in shady areas of the garden. They prefer moisture-rich soil and can easily brighten a dim corner with their exotic heart-shaped foliage.
Where do autumn ferns live?
Autumn fern is one of about 250 species native to woodlands in the north temperate zone. The group goes by the general name of wood ferns or sometimes male fern. Distribution is centered in East Asia but a number of species are found in the eastern states with eight native to Arkansas, the most common of which is marginal wood fern, ...
Why is Autumn Fern so happy?
And autumn fern is very happy in my garden because it has naturalized in three locations at the base of dry-stacked stone walls, the only wood fern to do so. Even our native marginal wood fern doesn't naturalize for me because the site is too dry. Autumn fern has tremendous tolerance for drought once established.
How big does an Autumn Fern grow?
Autumn fern is a normal looking fern with twice divided fronds that grow about 2 feet in length. For me, plants reach 18 inches in height with a 24-inch spread in five years. The stipe (main stem of the frond) is stout with cinnamon colored fuzz along the length of the stem but is more noticeable at the base.
What zone do ferns grow in?
Plants are hardy from zone 5 through 9 and grow well in slightly acidic sites. Like all ferns, a highly organic planting media that is maintained moderately moist is preferred but this tough fern will survive less than perfect conditions once established.
Is Autumn Fern a good groundcover?
A similar planting at the base of a post oak, a less shallow rooted and thirsty tree, still remains. Autumn fern is an excellent groundcover plant for locations with bright light but shade during the hottest part of the day. Plants are hardy from zone 5 through 9 and grow well in slightly acidic sites.
What color is autumn fern?
The autumn fern shines with its fronds all year round: first in a reddish-yellow tone, later in a rich green. Rhododendron and perennials that prefer shade are suitable companions for the fern, which is wonderfully effective in front of evergreen shrubs or in small groups. Dryopteris erythrosora is also an eye-catcher as a solitaire. The decorative fronds are also used as cut greenery.
Where does the autumn fern come from?
It occurs originally in the mountain forests of northeast Asia. It owes its name to the bright red veil of spore clusters on the undersides of its leaves, which resembles of foliage in autumn.
What type of soil does Dryopteris erythrosora need?
Dryopteris erythrosora requires a deep, humus rich, fresh to moist soil. In addition, the fresh, permeable soil should be low in lime. You can improve some soils that are not optimal by mixing in leaf compost.
How tall is an Autumn Fern?
Autumn fern grows to a height of 40 to 80 centimeters (16 to 32 in), is bushy and forms a large and many-headed thicket after years. The fronds do not form a real funnel, but stand close together instead.
How to prevent fern larvae?
The larvae damage the root. This can be prevented by watering the fern with nematode powder dissolved in water.
What color are wintergreen fronds?
The narrow, leathery, wintergreen fronds with triangular outline are reddish to greenish yellow when shooting. In the course of summer they turn a shiny dark green. They are doubly pinnate.
When to divide autumn ferns?
Older specimens of the autumn fern can be divided in spring or early autumn.
How to grow autumn fern?
For best growth, give autumn fern a rich, highly organic, moist but well drained, acid soil. While autumn fern is becoming established, keep it evenly moist. After it is well established, it becomes more drought tolerant and performs satisfactorily in the dry shade beneath large trees.
How to keep autumn ferns growing?
Keep your autumn fern growing at a steady pace by applying a balanced fertilizer at the rate of one pound per 100 square feet in spring before new growth begins. Keep it well watered until it is thoroughly established, and then back off. Remove dead fronds each spring to keep the planting looking neat.
What is the scientific name for ferns?
Dryopteris is from the Greek words drys (tree) and pteris (fern), referring to its preferred spot under the shade of a tree. Erythrosora is from the Greek words erythros (red) and sora (sori) in reference to its red sori.
What is Autumn Fern used for?
Frequently it is used as a backdrop for flowering shade plants. Sometimes it is chosen as a foundation plant in a shady spot, and it is equally effective grown in a container on a shaded patio.
Is Autumn Fern a hardy plant?
Autumn Fern. Autumn fern is evergreen in tropical regions and root hardy over large areas of the United States (Zones 5-9). Consider adding this adaptable plant to a shady corner in your garden. When a plant wins awards from all over the country and beyond, it deserves a closer look. Dryopteris erythrosora has garnered such awards as Florida Plant ...
What type of soil do autumn ferns need?
This is why most experts agree that the Autumn Fern requires soil with clay, high organic matter, and loam (silt), which will give you the right conditions it needs. In addition to this, expert gardeners recommend having preferably alkaline, acid or neutral soil.
Where do autumn ferns grow?
Growing Region. The Autumn Fern is a plant native to China to Temp. Eastern Asia. As a rule of thumb, we recommend always keeping in mind your plants’ native region and environment, since these are the conditions that your Autumn Fern is most accustomed to, thus where it can most favorably.
What is the name of the Autumn Fern?
In botanical terms, the Autumn Fern belongs to the Polypodiaceae family, the genus Dryopteris and the species Erythrosora, hence its scientific (or botanical) name Dryopteris Erythrosora (drye-OPP-ter-iss ehr-ith-roh-SO-ra). As with other Dryopteris, the Autumn Fern is a herbaceous plant, ...
What is the name of the fern that grows in the garden?
The Autumn Fern, otherwise known as the Dryopteris Erythrosora or Japanese Red Shield Fern, Copper Shield Fern, Aspidium erythrosorum, is a well-known fern plant by gardening enthusiasts around the world. Best known for its low maintenance and slow growth, this fern will likely liven up your house (or garden) with its green-colored leaves.
How big are the leaves of an autumn fern?
You can expect the leaves from your Dryopteris Erythrosora to be around (> 6 inches) in size.
Can ferns grow in partial sun?
Most experts agree that this fern will do well as long as you keep it in partial sun to shade and it will be able to grow properly.
Do autumn ferns need sun?
Light and Placement. In terms of light and exposure, the Autumn Fern requires full shade in order for it to thrive under the right conditions. Most experts agree that this fern will do well as long as you keep it in partial sun to shade and it will be able to grow properly.
