Caring for a Japanese Fern
The great thing about a Japanese fern is that you don’t have to worry about difficult maintenance or remembering an inconvenient watering/feeding schedule. If you believe a fern might be just the right plant for you, then pay attention because we are going to discuss how to grow and maintain a fern.
The species of Japanese fern we are going to concentrate on is the Japanese painted fern, which is by far one of the most popular species among experienced and novice gardeners alike. The leaves on each “frond” are silvery white in color with hints of lavender and blue, which makes for a terrific cooling and calming effect out in the garden or on the porch. It has deeply cut fronds which grow to about a foot in length, but can sometimes grow as long as eighteen inches. You can expect the overall plant to grow to a height between one and one and a half feet.
The painted fern differs from many other species of fern in that it does better in partial shade rather than total shade, so the area that you plant or hang this fern in should ideally grant it a bit of sunlight every day. If you are planting your fern in a garden, consider planting it near the base of a tree. Many people underestimate this fern’s ability to really mellow out an area that would otherwise look barren and cold. You can also plant it near bushes or in the partial shade of a gazebo or patio. If you aren’t sure where to put your fern or find yourself torn between a number of places, you might like the idea of making it a potted fern that can easily be relocated should you wish to.
The type of soil that this Japanese fern requires should be both rich and moist for it to really thrive. You should know that this species does take a while to grow, so don’t be alarmed if your fern seems to be taking forever in the growth department. The best thing to do when planting your fern (assuming you are planting a store-bought fern or are propagating it from a sample acquired from another fern) is to mix the soil with compost. A good ration to shoot for is 60% soil to 40% compost. Add a little water as you shovel the mixture of soil into the pot or ground, whichever place your fern will call home. Add a little water to ensure that the new accommodations are moist enough for the roots to get a much needed boost while they settle in and spread out.
After planting your fern in this nice soil/compost mixture, the next important step is to get yourself used to watering your new plant. Ferns love moist environments, but this particular species will allow you some room for memory lapse once in a while. If the fern becomes too hot or goes without water for too long, it will certainly let you know. When this plant starts suffering, its leaves will begin to droop in a highly noticeable manner and the overall color of the plant will turn a weaker shade. If you are giving your fern partial sun, try to select an area where the majority of its daily sun is “morning sun”, as afternoon sun, as you likely know, is much harsher.
This lovely Japanese fern can be a real joy to grow. You can expect this soft and comforting plant to remain hardy from the early signs of spring through to the first hard frost if the growing conditions are optimum. I hope you have learned enough about this plant to feel confident with growing your own painted fern. Good luck and happy gardening!