A Few Autumn Ferns - Backyard Shade Garden - May 2024

First came the Ostrich Fern.  Then, I realized there were BETTER ferns that I could grow in my garden.  The one that I seem to be drawn to most?  The Autumn Brilliance Fern.  I planted three to start and then each Fall, I've added more small ones.  Unfortunately...most of them don't over winter that first year, so I end up having far fewer than I start the Fall with in the backyard.

But, where do we stand today - late Spring - in terms of Autumn Ferns?

First...the three originals - they're all here today.  And looking mighty fine in their Springtime splendor:

In the Fall of 2022, I planted 12 (yes...twelve) small Autumn Ferns.  I thought ALL of them died, but turns out that four remain - all in front of the Hicks Yew Hedge in the back.  Two photos below show two apiece.  These are, well....small.  But they get very little supplemental water back there.

That makes seven so far.  

Last Fall, I planted five more quart-sized Autumn Ferns.  I dug up four this year and it seems that just three have made it.  See them below in the Stumpery:

Bringing the total up to ten (10) Autumn Ferns.  Is there a home for more of these?  For sure.  Everywhere I have Ostrich Ferns today?  Could/should be an Autumn Brilliance Fern.  The good news is that Ostrich ferns spread/naturalize an area.  That means that it is a constant battle - leading to even MORE Autumn Ferns.