{"id":5041,"date":"2015-05-01T09:48:47","date_gmt":"2015-05-01T16:48:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogadmin.plantlust.com\/blog\/?p=5041"},"modified":"2024-01-24T07:05:54","modified_gmt":"2024-01-24T15:05:54","slug":"ferns-have-spirit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plantlust.com\/blog\/gardens\/ferns-have-spirit\/","title":{"rendered":"ferns know how to get along"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hah. I thought I’d pick a simple topic today. Because at least\u00a0in the Pacific Northwest, it is full-on gardening season, and there is so much to do. As I run hither and yon, horrified by what I see, I periodically remind myself, these are “troubles”\u00a0of\u00a0my own making. I’m so lucky with my first-world problems, working from home with animals nearby and mere steps from the garden. <\/p>\n

\"Mister<\/a>
Mister & Posy sharing my workspace.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Pumpkin<\/a>
Pumpkin happy under the table, sometimes directly\u00a0on my feet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I need to slow the heck down, take note of the plants\u00a0growing so successfully, because, it’ll never all be done and perfect.\u00a0And isn’t that\u00a0the point: it’s gardening.<\/p>\n

\"Fern<\/a>
Fern – emerges with bronze edging. ID anyone?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yesterday in that spirit, I took pause trying to note just ferns, how beautiful, adaptable, and uncomplaining. I told myself I could look and photograph and ignore the weeds. (Meanwhile, my thought bubble was saying, when you see a weed pull it.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Dryopteris<\/a>
Dryopteris wallachiana<\/a> transplanted from Alameda garden.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Dryopteris<\/a>
Dryopteris wallachiana with thug-ish disporum, but I still love the combo.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It also made me realize how much I\u00a0have to learn. I can identify a few, primarily if they’re the kind I paid for. But those that spring from earth and stone? beats me. Meanwhile, I ordered up Ferns for American Gardens<\/i> with the idea I can study in my spare time. I once bought a couple ferns in 4″ pots from a nursery out West Linn way. I have no idea what they were, but they were fabulous and grew to over 4′ tall. They were outside my kitchen window with a Sum & Substance Hosta between them, and talk about a gorgeous\u00a0vignette. But do I have picture. Nooooo. And then I lost them to a big freeze. So at least I know, they were not hardy in Zone 8.<\/p>\n

\"Maidenhair<\/a>
Maidenhair Fern, another transplant from old Garden. Pretty.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I transplanted my Maidenhair Fern from the Alameda garden, and then moved it again this spring to a shadier location in Flamingo Park. It’s happier now. I love the wistfulness of the Maidenhair.<\/p>\n

\"Fern<\/a>
Fern NOID, about 3′ tall. I like big ferns.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Fern<\/a>
Fern leaf close up. NOID.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And then there so many other volunteers: just give me a nice rock. I can grow nicely there.<\/p>\n

\"Fern<\/a>
Fern happy growing from rock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\t\t