Japanese Painted Fern - slow to emerge??
ShirleyD
19 years ago
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jamlover
19 years agowaplummer
19 years agoRelated Discussions
Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance' - is it slow to emerge?
Comments (1)Yes, they are always slow to emerge in the spring, mine are just coming up now as well in zone 4b....See Moreyour fern recommendation for this picture
Comments (4)YOu have room for at least three ferns, and I'd look for some that grow bigger than the Japanese painted. There are indeed several forms of that one, and it would look great toward the front of your bed, but for the back I'd be looking for bigger, spreading ones. I'm not sure about hardiness at the moment, but obviously looking at the ones in your local garden centre is a great place to start. Read the tags and pick the ones that grow biggest! They often don't look very different when young. The two named by Jen above are indeed good choices (they are aka Osmunda cinnamonum and Dryopteris filix-mas), and I also like the Polystichums and other Dryopterises, they are both very large and variable families with some very impressive ferns in them. You might also enjoy John Mickel's book Ferns for American Gardens, which a local library might have. Someone who used to post here as Athyriana has a great website that you might also enjoy, linked below. Here is a link that might be useful: Great fern site...See MoreOverwintering a Japanese Painted?
Comments (3)You know, I never saw any fronds come out of last year's plant. It never showed any signs of life - I scraped away the mulch once the snow melted. Maybe I waited too long? I thought it was a late waker, but it may have tried to come up early. Or, my late frost might have gotten it before I saw anything. Thanks for the info - the new one is in a better location, I believe. Thanks, Lara...See MoreDividing Japanese painted ferns?
Comments (5)Late spring is usually the best time to divide JPF, but can be divided in the fall also. A 3G plant from a nursery most likely contains several individual plants, as they are usually grown from tissue culture plugs. In any case, they are easily divided, usimg a sharp knife to sever the connecting rhizomes. Be sure that each division has some roots and a crown or growth point, with some foliage. They prefer a moist, but well drained location and slightly acidic soil. Prepare the planting holes by mixing organic compost or peat moss with the soil. They prefer shade or a partially shaded location. In your Zone, they will tolerate more sunlight, than in the southern US. Best color is developed with a few hours of sun each day. Wait until the soil temperature cools down, usually after frost, to mulch. Mulching now will keep soil warm and promote growth, when they should be preparing to go dormant. You can fertilize in the spring, using a 2-3" layer of compost or a timed release chemical fertilizer at ½ the recommeded rate for perennials. They thrive when supplied with adequate moisture and high humidity. After the first year of growth, you can again divide them in the spring, which is the easiest way to generate more plants! After a few years, you will begin to see sporelings appear all around the area. They may or maynot be an exact replica of the parent plant. In any case, they will be an attractive addition. Good luck and enjoy :-) Rb Here is a link that might be useful: Japanese Painted Fern...See Moreemily10
19 years agoarcy_gw
19 years agoglad2garden
19 years agobambooo
19 years agospringa7
19 years agodrmedica
19 years agoknottyceltic
18 years agocarolinagirl13
15 years agoAaron Rosarian Zone 5b
3 years agoBeing Breeze
3 years agoAaron Rosarian Zone 5b
3 years ago
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