Ferns for near a pond

[Elean0r]

Can anybody recommend any native ferns that would grown in damp/permanently wet areas around a pond?

Looking for deciduous and evergreen species.

Thanks.

[Jason Claxton]

Hi Elean0r

I would consider Narrow buckler fern, Dryopteris carthusiana ,which is tolerant of more damper ,acidy areas such as damp,damp woodland.Its a fairly common fern and so shouldn't be to difficult to obtain.There is also Broad-leaved buckler fern Dryopteris dilatata,but it won't like its feet too wet.For dampish margins you may get away with the Male-ferns,Dryopteris filix-mas or affinis,but none will really like swimming in it,there are many fern species that like the humidity near wet locations,generally but few like it really wet.Marsh Fern Thelypteris palustris is a rare native,but maybe available from a horticultural supplier,you could try and check that one out on the internet.The answer might be to plant these ferns nearer the outside of the damp margins and let them spread in.


Cheers Jason

[Jez]

Lady's fern also likes a lot of moisture, you'll find it growing by streams, & harts tongue fern is another.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by Elean0r

Can anybody recommend any native ferns that would grown in damp/permanently wet areas around a pond? Looking for deciduous and evergreen species. Thanks.

Ferns are not high output plants in terms of their role in food chains, of course they are part of the natural environment but (from a wildlife perspective) best seen as occupiers of challenging niches where other plants do not thrive. On that basis I'd suggest going for flowering plants rather than ferns, and certainly there are only a very few ferns that would thrive in permanently wet conditions.

If you are determined to go for ferns, there are UK suppliers of native fearns, so as has already been suggested, check the Internet.

CM

[Dutchess]

Originally Posted by Jez

Lady's fern also likes a lot of moisture, you'll find it growing by streams, & harts tongue fern is another.

I was about to suggest Hart's Tongue, as well. It is resilient as well as liking dark, very damp places. It's the one you see half way down drains, growing out of the side of the wall

hth

D.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by Dutchess

I was about to suggest Hart's Tongue, as well. It is resilient as well as liking dark, very damp places. It's the one you see half way down drains, growing out of the side of the wall

That's an accurate description of a typical Hart's Tongue location - but it is not the same as being in permanently wet soil; in fact the amount of moisture available at any one time to the roots of a masonary growing plant, even one where there is a near permanent flow of water, may be very limited indeed.

CM

[The Woodman]

I've several ferns around my small pond, one, the Royal Fern Osmunda regalislikes wet acid ground and can be found growing on the banks of becks and rivers in the north west in places.

It doesn't get too high in my garden due to the drier conditions but is a pretty plant.

[JennyS]

The link below might be worth checking as they do ferns by mail order:

Shady Plants - Mail Order Fern Nursery: Welcome to the magical world of ferns

I just bought some Thelypteris, Onoclea and Gymnocarpium for the edges of my pond.

[Dutchess]

Thanks for that link, JennyS. I do so love the lush look of ferns. I have many in my garden and the shady "woodland" area is one of my favourite retreats

CM, yes I did wonder about the masonry factor regarding Hart's Tongue's roots. They seem to be able to take root in the smallest of gaps in tree bark as well, don't they.

D.

[Elean0r]

Lots of interesting things to think about, thanks. It'll take a while to look at the suggested website(s), and a bit of talking too.

We've got a fairly good selection of flowering plants, and some ferns that grow in the garden too - they're big things that we think are Female Ferns, as long as it's shadyish they're happy.

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?