Garden Clippings - Ferns

Ferns, indoor

Garden Clippings for May 9, 2026

Ferns are a staple for the shade garden. If given a woodland setting with rich soil and ample moisture, Ferns will thrive and grow to become a lovely blanket groundcover of lush foliage.

Ostrich, Maidenhair, and Marginal Sheild Ferns are among the list of native Ontario Ferns. If you plant these in your shade garden, you will appreciate their steady growth that some might find too invasive. Ferns with a more obedient growth habit include Japanese Painted Fern, Ghost and Jurassic Gold.

In the annual garden, Ferns remain the most popular choice for hanging baskets and planters for shady locations. Ferns are easy care plants that will remain showy from spring to the first frost.

Boston Fern, grown by the millions in Florida, has graceful, arching stems, (fronds) with rich bright green colour. If grown in a flower garden it can grow to nearly one metre high and wide, but when planted in a smaller hanging basket, it will remain a tidy, balanced plant about 50 cm high and 60 to 70 cm wide.

Macho Fern is bigger, bolder and tougher than its Boston Fern cousin. Fronds are slightly darker or richer green with a more upright growth habit. Macho Fern is best planted solo in a container where it won’t interfere with neighbouring plants. At our front door, facing north and covered by a porch, we opt for a Macho Fern because it makes a commanding statement. Ours is planted in a 16 inch pot where it has room to grow.

Kimberly Queen Fern is a tough-as-nails Fern that can handle dry spells and a bit more sun than the other Ferns. Fronds are upright growing, making it ideal for urns and containers. Kimberly can grow up to one metre high with nearly similar width. Colour is rich green with graceful texture.

After buying your Fern, transplant it into a larger container that is at least 2 inches wider than its original pot size. Use rich organic soil. Keep the Fern in a shady or semi-shady location and feed it with slow-release granular fertilizer. You will likely need to water the Fern every two or three days, depending on pot size and exposure to wind and sun.

If you are up for the challenge and have the space, consider bringing your Fern indoors through winter. Keep the vacuum cleaner or broom handy because Ferns have a habit of

shedding small leaves. Pruning the longest fronds will keep the plant tidy and encourage new growth.