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Fact Sheet 7

Ferns can add a lush beauty to your garden or home. Dating back to the Carboniferous period, some 350 million years ago, ferns are one of the oldest plant forms.
On the Central Coast there are many beautiful ferns indigenous to this area.
Why not try some of these ferns:

• in your garden,
• indoors,
• in a hanging basket,
• in or near a water feature.

What is a fern?
Ferns belong to a group of non-flowering plants that include algae, mosses and liverworts.

From large tree ferns such as Cyatheas, to the tiny delicate maidenhair fern Adiantums, ferns have one thing in common. They all produce spores.

What growing conditions do ferns like?
Most ferns prefer a cool, moist position in light dappled shade, protected from strong winds.
Generally ferns like a soil containing plenty of organic matter. Heavy mulching around the root area will keep the roots cool and prevent water loss. A free draining mix should be used for plants grown in pots or baskets. Ferns grown indoors should be kept away from direct sunlight, draughts and heaters.

Where do ferns grow?

Ferns can be found growing as:

• epiphytes sometimes attached to a tree high up in the canopy. The tree is used for support and the fern is not parasitic on the host.
• terrestrials where the fern grows on the forest floor in rotting leaf litter.
• lithophytes with the fern growing on rocks.
• aquatics such as Azolla and those that are semi-aquatic such as Marsilea. These ferns have developed tiny scale-like fronds that enable them to float on the water

Knowing the origin of a fern will help you select the right fern for the right spot. Observe where the ferns grow naturally in the bush. Try and replicate this aspect in your garden.

How do I grow my epiphytes?
These ferns can be attached on:

• tree trunks in your garden,
• timber boards,
• log,
• hanging baskets.

Beware, do not attach an epiphyte to a tree that will lose its bark or by wrapping wire or rope around the whole tree circumference, as this will kill the tree.

Some local ferns to grow in your garden
Planted in the right spot in your garden, these local ferns will prove hardy.

• Common Maidenhair Fern Adiantum aethiopicum looks delicate but it is easy to grow. This fern will sucker profusely. It does not like full shade.
• Giant Maidenhair Adiantum formosum has an attractive, long black stem to 1m. tall and dark green lacy fronds. Vigorous growth from a long creeping rhizome.
• Rough Maidenhair Adiantum hispidulum has finger-like fronds with pink new growth.

• Birds Nest Fern Asplenium australasicum with erect fronds up to 2m. forming a rosette.

• Gristle Fern Blechnum cartilagineum forms a large clump up to 1.5m. high. Light green fronds with rosy pink new shoots.

• Water Fern Blechnum nudum forms a bright green rosette of fronds to 1m. Likes a moist position.

• Rough Tree Fern Cyathea australis is very hardy in almost any garden situation. Will grow in full sun if given plenty of water.

• Scaly Tree Fern Cyathea cooperi is fast growing. Trunk patterned with oval scars left by fallen fronds. Can be grown in full sun if the roots are kept moist.

• Hare’s Foot Fern Davallia pyxidata a creeping fern which has dark green leaves up to 1m. long. The prominent hairy rhizome resembles a hare’s foot and often runs above ground or    over rocks.                                    Asplenium australasicum

• Soft Tree Fern Dicksonia antarctica a popular tree fern that develops a soft fibrous trunk. This fern needs plenty of water in hot weather.
• Prickly Rasp Fern Doodia aspera is very hardy, fronds to 50cm, with new growth an attractive reddish colour. Suckers into a large colony.
• Fragrant Fern Microsorum scandens a lovely scrambling fern that will climb over rocks or tree trunks.
• Sickle Fern Pellaea falcata has a creeping rhizome with shiny dark green fronds to 60cm.
• Elkhorn Fern Platycerium bifurcatum popular fern developing many small plants to form a large clump.
• Mother Shield Fern Polystichum proliferum   Grows easily in all but poorly drained soils, to 1m. Forms plantlets near the end of the fronds; peg down and allow to form roots before detaching from main plant.
• Tender Brake Pteris tremula is fast growing with erect fronds to 1m. Will not tolerate full shade.
• Rock Felt Fern Pyrrosia rupestris easily grown small fern found growing on rocks and tree trunks.
• Austral King Fern Todea barbara is a large fern with fronds up to 1.5m. and with age will develop a trunk. Slow growing.

Some suggested reference books

"Australian Ferns and Fern Allies", D.L Jones & S.C Clemesha, Reed Books, Sydney.
"Australian Ferns - Growing them Successfully", C.Chaffey, Kangaroo Press, Sydney.

Produced by the Australian Plants Society, Central Coast Group
in conjunction with Gosford City Council and Wyong Shire Council