Safe to move Japanese fern?

16 years ago

I have 2 Japanese ferns I'd like to move. From the tags they were supposed to be a more upright form ("Crested" Japanese fern, 18" high), but after 3 years I'd say they are pretty prostrate, at all of 5" tall. I want something taller in that spot (against the house) and want the ferns moved to the foreground.

So really several questions: do Japanese ferns resent moving? Are they tricky to move? They were quarts when put in and have grown v..e..r..y slowly.

I have bought 2 Astilbe "Erica" to put in the place of the ferns against the wall; which have bronzy foliage. Before I do this, is there another fern which grows taller and does NOT have plain green foliage? I put Autumn fern on my wish list but someone told me it is plain green most of the year. I'm trying to have foliage color variety in this bed, no plain green; using purple, chartreuse, amber, silver, etc.

Featured Answer

triciae

16 years ago

Japanese Painted Fern is lovely & reaches about 15" by the second year. They enjoy shade to dappled shade, moist, & organic soil. I've had very good luck with the spores from these ferns colonizing an area about 10' away from the mother plants. It takes 3 seasons from when I first notice the developing spores until the baby fern is large enough I don't worry about transplanting them.

Tricia

Here is a link that might be useful: Japanese Painted Fern

Comments (9)

hostared
16 years ago
Hi linnea,
There is no problem moving them. Just get a good amount of soil from under them and move them forward.

I have some from years past that didn't fair well in some areas. Then I moved them and they flurished. Don't be afraid dig in and move them.
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linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
Original Author
16 years ago
On one level I knew they were slow growing: but not this slow growing! I can't see these ever reaching 15" tall. They are getting slowly wider but are pretty flat. They are very pretty and I think I'd see and appreciate them more about 5 feet forward where their flatness would be an asset rather than a liability.

I should probably be happy they are still alive; a number of people I know (not "really" gardeners, FWIW) have not had them survive more than a year. That's what makes me want to make sure I do it right when I move them, if they are picky.
hostaholic2 z 4, MN
16 years ago
I moved mine about 3 years ago (for the same reason as you) and they never missed a beat. Just dig in and scoop them up with plenty of soil and put them where you want them.
bogturtle
16 years ago
I move these plants freely, at any time, and, if well watered in, they seem to do fine. I did kill one by including ordinary fertilization, so I never fertilize any of mine.
hostared
16 years ago
One other thing is. I have found, like other ferns, they are not found of sun. Mine are under hostas and get dappled light. My oldest is two feet wide but never reached 15"........but there are many varieties of Japanese ferns so check out some others. For height consider a Ladys Fern (it's well behaved)
arcy_gw
16 years ago
I wish I could say my experience with them was similar. I lost one this year, and the two that are left are 5 years old and not tall at all. The more vigerous of the two gets more sun actually. I don't know what to think.
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
Original Author
16 years ago
When I bought this group (have about 5 bought 3 years ago, and 3 little tiny ones bought just last year), I saw 2 different tags. The "crested" ones were supposed to be taller, so those are the ones that I put at the back. 3 years later I can't tell a difference, except that the "crested" ones have little projections, like horns, at the tips of the fronds. The fronds taper to a tip, then there are 4 or so of these feathery projections. Pretty and a little exotic looking.

When I realized how short these were going to be, I put the new ones bought last year way up front. But they do get some morning sun there on one side. One edge of this bed gets a few hours in the morning, then shade afterward. They look even smaller now than when I bought them, mid-summer last year. Seem healthy though. But it is early yet; they were so slow to emerge I thought I'd lost them.

How will I know if it is too sunny for them? Will they get crispy-edged? I love plants that tell you they are unhappy before they die! The older crested ones are going to an all-shady spot.

And another question: the spot next to the house stays a little moister, as it never gets full sun and is sheltered from wind. Will the new astilbe like it there? Besides the too-short ferns that I am moving there is (staying there) a cimicifuga and a bleeding heart, both doing very well.
hostared
16 years ago
They may tell you by browning of tips. The astilbe will be fine they are survivors. They will indicate too much sun by tip burning. So you are putting them in a good location. One of my painted ferns is in deep shade by some blue hostas and it colors and stands out there.
Just like anything else there are conditions each plant likes its just finding the balance were it should stay. Once you find that spot let them mature the rewards are plentiful. That's the joy of gardening.