You can try anything at any point but keep it really well watered. I'd be a bit leary of the ferns. "Wild" ferns oftimes need specific soil to keep them going, quite like Jack-in-the-Pulpits. Try one and go from there.

As for the 'evil' contractors, did you rope off where you didn't want them to step/drive? My DH is a top-shelf contractor and tells his clients to do so, otherwise the ground is fair game.

Martie

How about planting up some containers? Containers can be moved around and provide instant gratification although it does sound like you want to go with perennials. One caution, many wild ferns spread by underground runners so beware that they could become out of hand spreading far and near depending on the variety. The only fern I have experience with is a Japanese Painted fern and it is well behaved.

Ah! Be careful of wild ferns. I dug up some years ago and replanted them in an area similar to where I found them, thinking they'd look great as a backdrop to my stone wall. Well, they loved it there and spread like crazy. Eventually they overtook the area, chocking out my bulbs and myrtle.

Molie

Thanks for the tips on the ferns. I'll try one and see how it goes...

I have planted containers with annuals and they look fabulous. My perennials are sequestered to one small flowerbed that is clearly seperated from the rest of the yard by fencing and brick. I mean no offense to the reputable contractors out there - I called mine evil because after they ruined one of my containers of begonias,(by using it as a place to park their table saw) I asked them to please be more mindful of the flowers. The next day I came home to crushed lilies & lupines in the aforementioned out-of-the-way flowerbed. It looked quite deliberate.

" The next day I came home to crushed lilies & lupines in the aforementioned out-of-the-way flowerbed. It looked quite deliberate."

Could be, but most likely not.
They simply don't 'see' your plants, for them it's just some green stuff that cover ground.
They do work by hands and don't put their eyes down for as long as their feet on a solid surface.
Contrary, lawn mowers don't raise their eyes when working.
Professional habits, that's it.

Ego45 is right. Guys who work on structures (carpenters, roofers, etc.) don't "see" plants the way gardeners do. To prevent damage to my "babies," I overturn trash barrels, buckets, bushel baskets and any other rigid and protective container, over the plants I want spared. Then I tell the workers not to move or step on any of the overturned barrels they see because they are protecting special items. It works. When roofers worked above, the stuff they threw to the ground bounced harmlessly off the barrels, and they placed their ladders between buckets without disturbing them. Likewise, painters put their tarps over the barrels and containers as though they were just bare ground. worked like a charm.

One thing about lawn mowing workers to watch out for -- a lot of 'em know nothing about "real plants." They only know grass, and I've seen them hack away folks' tomato plants and perennials without a thought. Don't assume they will not mow over a bed of groundcover, either, if it is running into your lawn.

Ok, ok I'll lay off the contractors. :o) Thanks for the tip cady, I'll be sure to use your advice when they come back to paint the house.

whatever is meant to be is to be my friends always say im so mean to my plants,,but they are very envious I'm always planting ang moving things around I just keep it well watered
and give it a little umbrella if its going to be very hot which it sure has been these past few weeks.
just always to remember to have fun
I really agree with the containers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!