Compact Sprenger Asparagus Fern
Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri Compacta'
Very popular low-growing evergreen for hanging baskets, cutting and groundcover. Dense, shiny green needle-like foliage displayed on arching stems. Bright red contrasting berries. Fast growing. Evergreen.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | as-PA-rag-us dens-i-FLO-rus |
| Key feature: | Easy Care Plant |
| Plant type: | Perennial |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 9 - 11 |
| Light needs: | Partial to full sun |
| Sunset climate zones: | 12 - 28 |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | 2 ft. high and 4 ft. wide. |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Growth habit: | Compact |
| Special features: | Easy Care, Ornamental Berries, Waterwise |
| Landscape uses: | Container, Firescaping/Fire Wise, Seacoast Exposure, Woodland Garden |
| Flower color: | White |
| Blooms: | Spring |
| Foliage color: | Light Green |
| Item no.: | 0330 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring.
Design Ideas
This popular mounding groundcover grows fast, its evergreen branches arching as it spreads. So frequently used that it is often overlooked until its bright red berries appear. Provide rich contrast to its needle-like leaves by planting dark-green, broad-leafed plants adjacent in a small garden. In a hanging basket or container, include a bright flowering plant or one that is taller and straighter to balance the form.
Companion Plants
For leaf contrast and added color in a large border, try with Fortnight Lily (Moraea bicolor) or Vivid Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana 'Vivid'), with its slender stems of showy purple-pink flowers. In a hanging basket, try mixing with the lavender and white flowers of Lavender SwirlTM Trailing Lantana (Lantana sellowiana 'Monswee').
History
This is not a fern at all but a member of the edible asparagus group. Named from the early Greek for these edible plants, there are up to 300 species in the genus, and all are native to the Old World. This species originates in the Cape of Good Hope region of South Africa. German botanist Kunth classified it. Regel named it for Italian nurseryman Karl Sprenger who did much work early on with the new introductions.
Lore
Though it is called a fern, this plant is not related in any way to that spore bearing primitive group.
Very popular low-growing evergreen for hanging baskets, cutting and groundcover. Dense, shiny green needle-like foliage displayed on arching stems. Bright red contrasting berries. Fast growing. Evergreen.
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring.
Design Ideas
This popular mounding groundcover grows fast, its evergreen branches arching as it spreads. So frequently used that it is often overlooked until its bright red berries appear. Provide rich contrast to its needle-like leaves by planting dark-green, broad-leafed plants adjacent in a small garden. In a hanging basket or container, include a bright flowering plant or one that is taller and straighter to balance the form.
Companion Plants
For leaf contrast and added color in a large border, try with Fortnight Lily (Moraea bicolor) or Vivid Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana 'Vivid'), with its slender stems of showy purple-pink flowers. In a hanging basket, try mixing with the lavender and white flowers of Lavender SwirlTM Trailing Lantana (Lantana sellowiana 'Monswee').
History
This is not a fern at all but a member of the edible asparagus group. Named from the early Greek for these edible plants, there are up to 300 species in the genus, and all are native to the Old World. This species originates in the Cape of Good Hope region of South Africa. German botanist Kunth classified it. Regel named it for Italian nurseryman Karl Sprenger who did much work early on with the new introductions.
Lore
Though it is called a fern, this plant is not related in any way to that spore bearing primitive group.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | as-PA-rag-us dens-i-FLO-rus |
| Key feature: | Easy Care Plant |
| Plant type: | Perennial |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 9 - 11 |
| Light needs: | Partial to full sun |
| Sunset climate zones: | 12 - 28 |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | 2 ft. high and 4 ft. wide. |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Growth habit: | Compact |
| Special features: | Easy Care, Ornamental Berries, Waterwise |
| Landscape uses: | Container, Firescaping/Fire Wise, Seacoast Exposure, Woodland Garden |
| Flower color: | White |
| Blooms: | Spring |
| Foliage color: | Light Green |
| Item no.: | 0330 |
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Monrovia soil products
The best fertilizer to use with this plant is All-Purpose Plant Food.view soil products