I'm a new member and enjoy learning from everyone's experiences! I have well drained, acid soil in moderate-dry areas (but could water it well as plants are establishing), that is in partial to full shade. Have found out about Cheilanthes tomentosa (Wooly lip fern) and Blechnum penna-marina (Little hard fern) and think they may make good ground covers. I already have European ginger doing well in these spots. Has anyone grown these two ferns? I am bordering zones 5b /6 in southwestern Pennsylvania- deer country. Before I buy what could be a fair number of these plants I was hoping someone would give some input. Has anyone ever grown these in full sun just out of curiousity?? I am growing other ferns already in the sun and shade. Thank you so much.
short ferns for groundcover -input needed
If you don't get an answer here, try the new Fern Forum. Good luck!
Thank you - I was unaware there was a fern forum- didn't look at the list until your e-mail. Thanks alot!
Try Lady Fern - Felix Femina, there is also a dwarf Japanese Painted Fern - you'll have to search, I have a clump but don't know the name, Selaginella, Club Moss
Also Chinese Ginger - Asarum splendens has a mottle leaf.
And Lily of the Valley
And Epimedium
Violets
I'm trying to fine Maidenhair Spleenwort, a very short fern. No luck though. It's adorable!
alyrics and KatyMac-thanks so much
DG says that Big Dipper Farm carries Maidenhair Spleenwort:
http://davesgarden.com/ps/go/1796
They have so many! The following are all true dwarfs. I love the Lady Fern, but it is a bit big to be dwart, by my standards, particularly when it starts dropoping old fronds, as it is in my garden:
Tatting Fern
Deer Fern
Silver Cloak Fern
Male Fern
and possibly
Peacock Clubmoss,
which is listed as z6 but looks like a great ground coverbut and might be worth a try.
Peter
This message was edited Aug 1, 2006 5:46 PM