Autumn fern ( Dryopteris erythrosora ) earnsits common namefrom the colour — not the timing — of its emerge frond . As new Osmunda cinnamonea unfurl in spring , the leaf display shade of copper and bronze with breath of Salmon River , rise up and purple before ripen to glossy gullible in summertime . Sporadic flush of new growth through the rise season keep autumnal coloring material go . In cool climates , the leaves take on a svelte russet - brown , but nothing that compares to springiness . Low - maintenance and easy - care , autumn fern is a spectre nurseryman ’s friend .
Site and Soil
fall fern is a woodland industrial plant aboriginal tofull and partial shade , protected from intense afternoon sunlight . mature at 18 inches marvellous and 24 inches wide , it will flourish beneath tree with high , open shade and well - drain , loamy , humus - full-bodied soil .
All soil types , from George Sand to clay , accommodate adaptable autumn fern , but it will choose a pH slightly below 7.0 . Think ofmoisture - retentive woodland soil , rich with folio mould and other organic matter , as a guide for your garden . If your garden lack constitutional matter , work a 4 - column inch layer of compost or okay true pine bark into the soil ’s upper 4 to 6 inches before planting autumn fern .
Water and Nutrients
fall fern prefersconsistently moist land , but does n’t abide marshy condition . Once established , the slow - growing plant withstands periods of relative xerotes better than many ferns , but it deform pale and wilts when urine - accented . Supplement raw rain , as needed , to keep the territory moist . The more sun the plant life gets , the more piss it ask .
plant in fertile , loamy soil , autumn ferndoesn’t take fertilizer . Like other forest ferns , it ’s sensitive and well burn by chemical plant food . instinctive disintegration from leaves and a 1- to 2 - inch level of compost overspread once a year are all it need .
Pruning, Pests and Disease
In frost - free climates , fall fern is evergreen . In nerveless - clime garden , it dies back slowly with semi - evergreen growth at the crown . Leave the frond intact over winter , thenremove the numb or winter - worn leaf in spring . This is easily done by bridge player , which protects emerging fiddlehead and surface roots from inadvertent pruning injury . When clipping , utilize shears that have been wiped with a textile plume in rubbing alcohol . This avail prevent the spread of disease .
Autumn fern has no significant problems with insect pests or disease . The fern is sensitive to pesticides , so sound sanitation and right charge are key . Slugs and snail often gather in shadowiness garden . A inverted rind of melon ( Cucumis melo ) makes an in force , overnight slug trap . Dispose of the melon rind and its soggy inhabitants in the morning .
Hardiness and Heaving
Autumn fern grows inU.S. Department of Agriculture flora hardiness zones5 through 8 . It ’s illiberal of hot , desiccate atmospheric condition in tender Southwestern climates , but ittolerates heat and humidness in the Southeast . cite a Florida Garden Select plant by the Florida Nursery , Growers and Landscape Association , fall fern thrives in Florida ’s USDA zone 8 through 11 .
In all climates , a matured fall fern tends to repeal slightly out of the grime from year to year . When this happens , gently get out back the filth and reposition the treetop back at soil level . The annual layer of 1 to 2 inches of compost also helps prevent autumn fern from heft up .
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