Most drought tolerant gardens or xeriscaping uses plants that are ‚”harsh” in appearance, such as the Yucca. However, for those that like the light and airy feel of a fern, there are certain ones that can indeed be hardy and drought tolerant as well. Although ferns get a bad rap from many gardeners, they aren’t really too hard to grow once the basics are known. These ferns especially with their low water needs are good starter ferns to attempt. These three have varying differences and the similarities of being beautiful ferns for any garden or landscape use.
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The hay scented fern, or Dennstaedtia punctilobula, will give you a moderate growth with a height of up to three feet. It has a two foot spread and is hardy from USDA zones 3 to 8. It will need to be planted in full sun for the northern states or partial shade in the south. It grows best in moist well drained soil, but is drought tolerant. The hay scented fern is a very good spreading fern with low maintenance. Typically a very adaptable fern, if the leaves are bruised it will have the mild fragrance similar to fresh cut hay (hence the name).
The Christmas fern, or Polystichum acrostichoides, is another moderate growth fern with a height up to two feet. It has a two foot spread and is hardy from USDA zones 3 to 8. It will need a partial shade area in the landscape. It grows best in moist well drained soil, but is drought tolerant. The Christmas fern is a low maintenance fern, often growing in woodlands and fields. It gets its name from being often seen in the woods around Christmas time when people would go in looking for their tree.
The western brackenfern, or Pteridium aquilinum, grows well up to approximately ten feet in height. It has hardiness from USDA zone 3 to 10. It will need full sun or partial shade. The western brackenfern has low water needs, much different than most ferns. This has some toxicity and care needs to be taken having this in the landscape. The fern will also put out allelopathic chemicals which will stunt the growth of other plants that are close by.
Keep in mind that other than a good layer of mulch, there isn’t much that you’ll need to care for ferns. Keep them in their sun preference and have a consistent watering schedule (even with the drought tolerance). Ferns in this list should be a little easier to keep alive than some of the lesser hardy ones. In drier climates, these are a great choice.
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