Great pics of fronts & looks like you have the ID on most. I love ferns, too. I can't help you much as I'm from western WA with different ferns; however, I thought it might be helpful to remember what type of soil the ferns prefer... humus rich with some tolerating dryness once established. Also, fern growth is a mound & those might be a bit too close to the brick wall to mature into their lovely mounds. Some ferns here grow 12" crowns, so need a lot more space that it appears you've given them. Maybe you can go back to the woodland areas of your place to view the mature specimens growth & gather more forest humus for the new plantings. I've moved some of our native ferns from our backyard forest to inside the fenced area for a fuller native garden section. If I get a large enough rootball + the native soil & move them early in the season to get spring rains they thrive. I also mulch with lots of my bagged shredded maple leaves as they would have in the forest, but without the weed seeds :o). Some like licorice fern grow on rotting logs, so you must move the piece of log & it pulls off easily with your hands to set on top of humus rich soil in similar light conditions. If I move them later once we have dry summer weather I have to water them weekly and daily in 90 degree weather if I want them to make it. Maybe you can grow native wildflowers there, too. Ours mostly bloom in spring, so I also plant our native ferns in my mixed beds for contrast. Corrine

You may see some growth on the Cinnamon and Ostrich ferns this year, as a result of energy stored in their tuberous roots, they will recover fairly rapidly, but I wouldn't expect any on the Lady and Maidenhair ferns until next year and then very little growth. It requires several years for them to become established and begin to produce multiple fronds, since they have fibrous roots, with little or no reserves. The Cinnamon, Ostrich and Lady ferns are denizens of damp locations and streamsides and appreciate moist conditions. The Maidenhair ferns will tolerate moist conditions, but some are more drought tolerant. Rb

Birds nest ferns are very susceptible to rot, especially if you water over the top of the crown. Another interesting thing is that the root mass is very small relative to the above ground part of the plant. If you have over-potted the plant then obviously you increase your risk of rot and various other bacterial/fungal infections. Over the years I have gravitated to a mix of orchid bark and peat moss. This is very free draining but retains enough moisture between waterings. I'd repot (under-potting) to ensure that going forward you have created as optimal an environment for the plant as possible. BTW birds nest fern roots are typically dark; the best way of doing a quick health-check is to examine the roots to see if they have light coloured tips. If so they are definitely OK. Good luck and I hope you get to appreciate these wonderful ferns for many years to come.

Tell us about your conditions. Like so many other plants, if you have the conditions that they like, it's so easy. If you don't, it's hardly worth trying to grow them. Tell us about your soil, how much sun you get, and whatÂs growing there now. What wants to be there? Do you have native fern growing in the area already? Sometimes the best thing to do is just interfere with the completion between the plants that are already there, to give the existing fern a better chance. Some times, in heavily wooded areas, an over abundance of matted leaves will suppress fern growth. IÂve grown ostrich and cinnamon ferns. They are thirsty plants. The books say that they can get 6 feet tall. ThatÂs never happened to mine. They get big, but not 6 feet. I have some very young plants of both, ostrich and cinnamon; I can send your dad. The reason you donÂt see them in the garden centers now is that they are clearing out their inventory now. ItÂs a very good time to plant, but for the garden centers, itÂs too risky. What ever they donÂt sell now, they have to carry over the winter. Contact me soon if you want me to send you some plants because I wouldnÂt send them when it gets too cold.