The Rattlesnake Fern: It Won’t Bite You
Posted on Nov 13, 2008 under Ferns | No CommentThe Rattlesnake Fern: It Won’t Bite You
|
|
Don’t be alarmed by the rattlesnake fern (Botrychium vir-ginianum, 5 in.-2 ft.) which is a beautiful plant and has no relationship to a rattlesnake. This stately yet charming little plant is common and likes shady woods and other shady areas. Here the plumelike sporophyll springs stiffly up amidst a cluster of sterile fronds. This fern has fruits when it’s small as well as full-grown.
The sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis, 3 ft.) is sensitive to frost, but not to human touch. At the first real sign of cold weather in the fall it folds up for the season. The coarse erect fronds are thin in texture. The sporophyll appears in midsummer. The dark green berry-like nubs on it are actually rolled-up pinnules holding spore cases. Examine these delicate forms under a magnifying glass. It gives you a different perspective of the fern.
The toothed wood fern (Dryopteris spinulosa, or Aspidium spinulosum, 3 ft.) has graceful curving fronds and interesting scaly stems. You may wander through great stretches of it enjoying the feel of feathery fronds on bare legs, and stirred by the rhythmic swaying patterns created in the gentlest breeze. Notice how the fronds spring up in an almost perfect circle from the ground. This fern loves to find a decaying old tree stump to grow in.
The royal fern (Osmunda regalis, 4-6 ft.) is a tall dramatic one with great high fronds. Its root, same as with some of the other osmundas, is the source of the familiar orchid potting material. The royal fern is most at home along the banks of streams where it rises in dignity. A gentle wind causes it to wave its dense and lovely fronds. The spring fronds are golden brown and appear in clusters from the midst of its cushion of black wiry “osmunda” root.
Fern Culture
Ferns may be dug in the woods during the spring or fall season. There are also a number of mail-order growers that specialize in ferns. If you bring your own from the woods or wherever you may find them, observe the direction they face and plant them so they are facing that in your garden or wherever you plant them. Your success with ferns is assured if you can match up the new location in your garden, including soil and exposure, with the spot where you found them. However, it is heartening to know that many ferns grow in more than one type of soil and location. Many ferns are far more adaptable than we give them credit for. This is one factor that makes them easy to transplant and grow.
Also note, as you dig, how shallow ferns roots are. Plant them the same way in your garden. In general, a northern exposure is ideal; east or west is also fine, and, occasionally, for some few ferns, a southern slope.
While ferns need moisture in the soil they never want soggy soil. Good drainage is vital. For most species a safe rule is: Filtered sunlight or none at all. Ferns require absolutely no upkeep. Their roots are too near the surface for cultivation. Nature keeps a fine, cool, leaf mulch over the ground all year.
These constantly rotting leaves contribute to soil enrichment. The old fronds of some sorts brown and drop during the summer. If you are the neat type these can be trimmed away. We like the rusty brown look among the summer greens, so we don’t bother to trim the old fronds.
Ideal fern soil is, of course, woods soil or the same soil as where they were growing naturally. If you should want to create a fernery in a place where you must change the soil, the perfect mixture is equal parts sand, garden soil, peat moss and leaf mold. If you have no peat, change the mixture to two parts leaf mold. Of course if you plant ferns in an area similar to where you found them in the woods everything is fine and you don’t need to move any soil or do anything further. Just let them take over.
But if you do get them from the woods or other area where they are naturally growing carry a bushel basket and shovel in the trunk of your car. We enjoy exploring woods and always have an eye out for some old decaying stump to scoop out for our newly planted ferns at home. Of course if you live in a populated area or one where there are no ferns you can “borrow” then this will not apply to you. Also valuable is the rich black leaf mold just under the leaf surface of the forest floor. Sometimes pause to admire that single yellow frond reflecting one small flicker of filtered sunlight.
Ferns are great not only for their beauty, but also because of almost no upkeep. If you like that idea then ferns are for you. If you are like we are, a lazy gardener, then be sure to plant ferns. They will free up some time for you to do other maintenance in your garden or time to relax and enjoy the view that you created in your garden.
