Native Ferns for Wildlife Gardens: A Haven for Birds and Insects

Walking Fern

The walking fern is a small, trailing perennial known for its unique ability to reproduce by growing new plantlets at the tips of its fronds, giving it the appearance of "walking" across the forest floor.  These fascinating and unique plants can bring natural beauty and intrigue to any landscape. These attributes make them highly desirable for landscaping projects in wild and cultivated settings. Here are some critical characteristics that make them excellent additions to any landscaping endeavor.  Walking Fern, or Asplenium rhizophyllum, are low-lying perennial evergreens and typically relatively small. They're also an opportunistic plant, meaning they'll grow on fallen tree trunks, rocks, or land. As long as there's some moisture nearby, they're good to go. The Frond Blades Of Walking Fern (Asplenium rhizophyllum) They have smooth, narrow, and elongated dark green blades. Each frond blade is shaped like a triangle and comes to a tiny tip. Because of this, the bulk of this plant comprises the bottom portion of each one. Furthermore, you'll notice that this unique evergreen has eared lobes on both sides. As mentioned, they take any opportunity to grow and run with it! Essentially, wherever its parent touches the ground is where they'll call their home. From there, these evergreens appear to be trekking across the ground, hence their name. The Lifecycle Of The Walking Fern Although their root tips are where each new seedling comes from, the entire process is a bit more complex. The form that most people see is only one of a two-part cycle. Water is an essential component of making new life. Without it, the gametes cannot fertilize the eggs. Fortunately, this is something other than something to worry about as they naturally grow in mossy, watery areas. Walking Fern Multiples Quickly  You can plant Walking Fern in various places, but looking for a mossy area in the shade is best. Either way, sit back and watch out once they've been planted! One plant will turn into two quite quickly, which will then propagate further and further. It's possible to purchase one of these evergreens and end up with at least a handful. Walking Ferns Are Low Growing Perennials  Their reproduction rate and method make them a favorite of people who usually have difficulty growing things. They provide a very appealing look for a natural lawn, and you won't have to do much to ensure they survive and thrive. Does the walking fern release spores The walking fern grows by way of spores - the primary form of propagation. They produce these spores on the inner surface of their leaves in patches of pouches called sori, which mature blackish.  Why is Adiantum referred to as a walking fern?  The reason this plant is called that is because the plant can actually 'walk' on the ground, which is a rarity for plants. It spurs new shoots each time the tips of the fronds meet the soil as the fern 'walks' for a while.  What do fern spores do once they are expelled  Once the fern spores have scattered, they latch onto another patch of wet, appropriate soil and grow into a tiny, heart-like form: gametangia.  How do walking ferns reproduce?  It produces both sexually (with spores) and asexually (the leaf tips produce new shoots planted in the soil).  What do you do with fern leaves For fern leaves to look good, mist fern leaves backside up or put a glass of water into a place that's appropriate to it. Do not put the plant in direct sunlight, and periodically wash the leaves with a fresh solution of water to remove dust.

Lady Fern

The Lady Fern is a delicate, feathery-textured fern with finely divided, lacy fronds often found in moist, shaded woodland environments. It is a graceful and versatile fern species that offers a range of benefits when incorporated into landscaping designs. The fern's delicate fronds, adaptability, and aesthetic contributions make it a sought-after choice for enhancing outdoor spaces. The Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) Can Get 5 Feet Tall Lady Fern, scientifically known as Athyrium filix-femina, is a natural perennial that can reach a height of five feet. Their large, lacy leaves are a brilliant green, each growing as wide as a foot. The leaves are a verdant green as the summer progresses, but they turn a golden yellow as winter approaches. The stems of the fronds might be green, purple, or red. As the temperature decreases in the autumn, the leaves fall off; they always grow back in the spring. A cluster of these plants will form around the original plant as they spread out from a core base. They are more tolerant of dry soils than other plants and can even handle partial sunshine in damp soil. Lady Fern Helps Fight Soil Erosion  The rhizome root systems of Lady Fern plants play a significant role in soil stabilization. You can use the fronds that fall from them as mulch. These plants also enhance soil erosion prevention through their dense plant cover and unique slope adaptation. Adding Lady Ferns To Your Landscape Will Add Texture Because of their fibrous root systems and thick, verdant foliage, they are great for creating homes for animals in their native environments. Many small animals, like beetles and spiders, find cover and a place to lay their eggs among the complex fronds while the plant protects them from danger. Birds and other animals, including amphibians and reptiles, feed on the plant's decaying matter, fungi, and other organic material in the soil and leaf litter for sustenance. The Lady Fern Has Been Around For Millions Of Years They have been around for a long time in American woods, but they've just lately become popular as landscaping plants. They work excellently as garden borders, which helps keep certain animals away. With their somewhat tall stature, they are also perfect for layering borders in the garden. They provide a lovely low-front or mid-height addition when planted toward the front or center of the border, respectively. What are the interesting facts about lady ferns Lady ferns (Athyrium filix-femina) are one of the most attractive ferns due to their thin and feathery fronds. The fronds have a light green to yellowish hue, which makes the plant an eye-catching addition to woodland gardens. How do you identify a lady fern? You can recognize a lady fern by its feathery structure of leaves, which sometimes curves like an arc. Its sori are organized in rows along the veins of the leaflets on the underside. How do lady ferns reproduce The lady ferns do not use seeds to propagate themselves, but they use spores. These spores are on the lower part of their fronds in small, brownish structures, and the spores are dispersed by wind.  How do you know if a fern is male or female?  Unlike some other species of plants, ferns such as the lady ferns have no division into male or female plants. The plants make spores out of which grow gametophytes, with both male and female organs, which can thus self or cross-fertilize.  Can lady fern be divided Yes, lady ferns can be divided to give new plants. It is best to do this in early spring or fall when first digging the root ball and then using a sharp tool to separate the rhizomes into individual portions, each with its healthy fronds and roots.

Royal Fern

The Royal Fern is a large, striking fern with feathery fronds and a distinctive crown of fertile fronds. It is typically found in wetland habitats and is appreciated for its ornamental appeal in gardens. The Royal Fern is distinctive from other plants in the class because of its notable size. Specifically, this is one of the largest that grows outside of tropical zones in the United States. Also known as the osmunda regalis, the plant thrives in areas of the yard that are moist, including both shady and partially shady spots. Why should you include it in your landscaping plans? The Appearance Of Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis) The plant is appropriately named because it can grow up to six feet tall, and its size at maturity often makes it a solid focal point in yards. The fronds can be as comprehensive as 16 inches and feature up to nine pinna pairs, each with up to 13 pinnules. These qualities, combined with the healthy green color and the point shape of the fronts, add a rich texture to your yard that elevates aesthetics. The Wildlife Attraction and Tolerance Of Royal Fern While some wildlife is welcome in your yard, others can cause considerable damage and should be deterred. The potential damage from foragers like deer and rabbits is deterred as these animals do not use this plant for food. However, turtles, birds, and frogs, which generally do not cause damage, often seek shelter in their bushy leaves. Royal Fern is Pest Resistant While hungry insects often feed on various types of plants, it is well-known for repelling them. Specifically, the recognizable leaves have particular proteins that repel many kinds of insects. Any insects that do find their way to these plants often become food for the birds and other animals that live under the fronds for protection from the elements and their natural predators. Use Royal Ferns For Borders Or Underplanting  When Royal Ferns are planted three feet apart, as recommended, there is little concern about them outgrowing their allocated space. The plants grow only a few inches yearly and do not need to be cut back to prevent overgrowth. As a result, it takes many years for the plant to reach its full size, and minimal care of this low-maintenance plant is required.

Cinnamon Fern

The Cinnamon Fern is a large deciduous plant characterized by its distinctive, brown-colored fertile fronds standing upright in the center. It is captivating and versatile and has numerous landscaping benefits. This plant, native to eastern North America, has become famous for gardeners and landscapers due to its aesthetic appeal, adaptability, and environmental contributions. Cinnamon Fern grows to a height of 6 feet and spreads about 4 feet on its black stalks. The unfurled pinnae are Kelly green on top, while the fronds in the center of the plant, which give it its name, are dark brown and resemble sticks of cinnamon because they grow straight up. Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum Cinnamomeum) Early in the spring, the central fronds that turn brown later start life as silver-colored fiddleheads. They're covered in fur, too, charmingly "shaking off the cold of winter." The broad fronds on the stalks form a cute rosette around the central stalks. The silver fiddleheads match well with Fescue or Brunner. Those fiddleheads appear early in the year when the top of the plant is clumped together in a cute bundle. As the Cinnamon Fern Opens When the fiddleheads are ready to open, their silver hair turns brown and clings to the base of the pinnae as they expand to their full glory. The large, broad pinnae on 3-foot fronds is the sterile variety. In the center of the plant, the brown-colored fronds with much smaller pinnae are the fertile fronds. The plant's attractiveness comes from the contrast between the two frond types. Secondarily, the contrast between the expanded fronds and any nearby silver flowers they used to match is equally striking. When it comes to the sterile fronds, they can hold almost two dozen pinnae that taper gently in size from large to small, creating a shape that nearly resembles a palm frond made up of pinnae. The Sporangia Of The Cinnamon Fern This plant doesn't have sori. Instead, it has sporangia that surround the stalk of the fertile frond. These turn brown as they open and give the plant its name. Up close, they're made up of tiny dots that wrap around the stalk in delicate, beautiful shapes. From the time the plants peek through until the fiddleheads unfurl, it is about a week during the spring. During this time, you can see the shape of the pinnae and fronds develop and become full members of the garden for that year. Cinnamon Ferns Are The First Ferns To Emerge In The Spring Cinnamon Fern makes an attractive, striking, and attention-grabbing entry in any garden, and because they're perennial, they'll be back every year to be a lovely garden anchor. What conditions do cinnamon ferns like to grow in?  Cinnamon ferns grow best in damp conditions, particularly in woodlands or along water courses. They do well in soil that is rich in nutrients and which has good drainage.  How Fast Do Cinnamon Ferns Grow  Cinnamon ferns are moderately fast growers and will reach their full size in the first to the second year of growth. If the growing conditions are conducive, then they can grow up to 4 feet and as broad as 4 feet.  Do Cinnamon Ferns Multiply  Indeed, it is split by producing both spores and through forming a system of subterranean stems called rhizomes.  Do cinnamon ferns like acidic soil?  Cinnamon fern-like soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of between 5.5 and 7.0. The ferns may require other amendments placed into the soil, such as adding organic matter like a bag of leaf compost.  How Much Water Does A Cinnamon Fern Need  Cinnamon ferns are native to moist habitats, and the soil should be kept moist at all times, more so during the hot season. They prefer consistent watering, but if they are overwatered, they can experience root rot that can be deadly to the plant.