Ferns for near a pond

[JennyS]

We thought it would look nice to have ferns drooping into the pond itself, but hadn't realised being permanently wet might be quite a challenge for the plant.
Maybe mosses would be a better idea?

You'll have to check species as its the same as with ferns - only some mosses will cope with being permanently wet

[Elean0r]

Maybe we'll have to have even more of a rethink then, thanks.

[JennyS]

Hi Eleanor, I hope I haven't put you off your idea of planting ferns and moss round your pond - that wasn't my intention as its a really good idea and you can always make raised and better drained areas to plant in.

If you can have a look at some ponds and streams and see what ferns and mosses are growing beside them, and how damp/wet the ground is.

Good luck with the planting!

Take photo's if you come across species you can't identify and post them in the 'non-flowering plants' section of the Wildflower forum

[Rashmika]

I'd go for the Dryopteris Ferns. I think they're better than the Athyrium's.

[Elean0r]

No, you haven't exactly put me off, not yet at least. I come from a long line of try-it-and-see gardeners - which, for us, means there's a spot that needs a plant, we have an idea of the sort of plant we'd like to have growing there, get one and see what happens. If it starts curling up its' toes then it needs moving somewhere more suitable before it dies.

I took a couple of pictures yesterday, hopefully somebody will be able to identify them. We aren't much good with the non-flowering plant species.

[JennyS]

I come from a long line of try-it-and-see gardeners - which, for us, means there's a spot that needs a plant, we have an idea of the sort of plant we'd like to have growing there, get one and see what happens. If it starts curling up its' toes then it needs moving somewhere more suitable before it dies.

Sounds like my method too! Sometimes plants seem thrive in the most unlikely places but pop their clogs when planted in the-by-the book 'right spot'.

[Dutchess]

Originally Posted by JennyS

Sounds like my method too! Sometimes plants seem thrive in the most unlikely places but pop their clogs when planted in the-by-the book 'right spot'.

I have to go along with that

D.