Monrovia : Learn

Fresh green, finely cut fronds emerge from a single crown having a graceful, arching habit that provides excellent contrast in the shady landscape. Evergreen. Partial to full shade. Moderate-growing to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Plantlet grown. Non-hardy.

Performance and Requirements

Light needs: Partial to full shade

Watering Needs: Needs wet or constantly moist soil.

Growth Rate: Moderate Growing

Growth Habit: Arching

Design Information

Companion Plants

CATLIN`S GIANT CARPET BUGLE
Ajuga reptans `Catlin`s Giant`

LUXURIANT FRINGED BLEEDING HEART
Dicentra x 'Luxuriant' P.P.# 3324

DALMATIAN BELLFLOWER
Campanula portenschlagiana (C. muralis)

BLUE WATERFALL SERBIAN BELLFLOWER
Campanula poscharskyana 'Camgood' P.P.# 13161

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Companion Plants (Description): Requires shelter and grows well with Catlin`s Giant Carpet Bugle, (Ajuga reptans `Catlin`s Giant`), a carpet-like ground cover with deep blue flowers, the red-flowering Luxuriant Fringed Bleeding Heart, (Dicentra x `Luxuriant`) and spreading Dalmatian Bellflower, (Campanula portenschlagiana), Hosta and a variety of Belgian Indica Azalea.

Design Styles: Mother Ferns are symmetrical in form like a feather-fronded palm. Shelter under awnings or on north-facing exposures. Tuck into shaded porches and nooks in the architecture. Does very well in pots or hanging baskets. Do not grow in sun or where wind could dry its fronds.

Care Information

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed frequently during growing season with a general purpose fertilizer. Cut back old fronds after new growth begins in spring.

Background Information

History: This fern falls into the Polypodiaceae and is naitive to both Australia and New Zealand. It si also known as the "hen and chicks" fern due to the natural vegetative reproduction.

Lore: Mother ferns are called such because of the little offsets that are produced on the fronds which then fall to the ground to produce new plants.

Botanical Pronunciation: as-PLE-ni-um bulb-IF-er-um

Catalog Description: Fresh green, finely cut fronds emerge from a single crown having a graceful, arching habit that provides excellent contrast in the shady landscape. Evergreen. Partial to full shade. Moderate-growing to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Plantlet grown. Non-hardy.