Dry Fern Trough

Discussion in 'Alpine Gardening' started by Sirius, Mar 30, 2017.

  1. Sirius

    Sirius Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2012
    Messages:
    1,426
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Hertfordshire
    Ratings:
    +1,225
    So I bought myself a tufa trough yesterday

    The plan is to plant it up with dry ferns - Cheilanthes, Ceterach, Asplenium trichomanes

    Anyone tried something similar?
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Marley Farley

      Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

      Joined:
      May 11, 2005
      Messages:
      30,589
      Occupation:
      Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
      Location:
      Under the Edge Zone 8b
      Ratings:
      +14,124
      Not with ferns but I have with alpines.. :SUNsmile:
       
      • Informative Informative x 1
      • Friendly Friendly x 1
      • NCFCcrazy

        NCFCcrazy Super Gardener

        Joined:
        May 2, 2012
        Messages:
        331
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Bored office monkey
        Location:
        Norwich, Norfolk
        Ratings:
        +1,051
        That's a really great idea!! I am a big fan of ferns, much to my wife's disgust, she just doesn't get it. May have to pinch that idea :-)
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • Funny Funny x 1
        • Friendly Friendly x 1
        • Sirius

          Sirius Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Jun 26, 2012
          Messages:
          1,426
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Hertfordshire
          Ratings:
          +1,225
          No prob.

          I want to get the soil mix right. Was thinking along the lines of 1/3 JI No 3, 1/3 sharp sand, 1/3 grit.
          Have a loads of tennis ball sized rocks that I plan on half burying and planting the ferns against.
           
        • kindredspirit

          kindredspirit Gardening around a big Puddle. :)

          Joined:
          Nov 21, 2009
          Messages:
          3,671
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired.
          Location:
          Western Ireland (but in a cold pocket)
          Ratings:
          +4,585
          I have loads of ferns in troughs but not specifically "dry" ones.

          I have various mixes. The latest two troughs have 25% sieved soil. 40% ericaceous compost. 25% pine needles. 10% sand. The pine needles make the whole mix light and fluffy.

          I have different mixes in the other troughs but I've forgotten the exact mix now. I use whatever comes to hand really.

          In most of the troughs I use Red Sandstone rocks with ferns.
           
          • Informative Informative x 1
          • kindredspirit

            kindredspirit Gardening around a big Puddle. :)

            Joined:
            Nov 21, 2009
            Messages:
            3,671
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired.
            Location:
            Western Ireland (but in a cold pocket)
            Ratings:
            +4,585
            2017-03-15 17.50.54.jpg 2017-03-15 17.38.19.jpg 2017-03-15 17.39.04.jpg 2017-03-15 17.42.26.jpg


            Three of these troughs have been planted up recently. I have other troughs planted with ferns one and two years ago. On some you can't see the troughs for the ferns' fronds ! !

            The circular trough you see in one of the pics has been planted with a Giant Japanese Painted Fern. I have gone away a little from my mantra and planted some deciduous plants. :( :(
             
            • Like Like x 5
            • Sirius

              Sirius Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Jun 26, 2012
              Messages:
              1,426
              Gender:
              Male
              Location:
              Hertfordshire
              Ratings:
              +1,225
              Kindredspirit,

              Thanks for posting the photos.

              The last one is of particular interest
              Those are the species I am thinking of, but can't see all the labels. Can you me what all the species are
               
              • Agree Agree x 1
              • Marley Farley

                Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

                Joined:
                May 11, 2005
                Messages:
                30,589
                Occupation:
                Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
                Location:
                Under the Edge Zone 8b
                Ratings:
                +14,124
                I love the last pic you have up there, I have Rusty backs growing in an old pipe..
                 
                • Friendly Friendly x 1
                • kindredspirit

                  kindredspirit Gardening around a big Puddle. :)

                  Joined:
                  Nov 21, 2009
                  Messages:
                  3,671
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Occupation:
                  Retired.
                  Location:
                  Western Ireland (but in a cold pocket)
                  Ratings:
                  +4,585
                  Sirius, two lots of very common native ferns there.

                  Rustyback fern. Ceterach officinarum
                  Irish ferns - Rusty-back Fern

                  Maidenhair Spleenwort. Asplenium trichomanes
                  Irish ferns - Maidenhair Spleenwort

                  These two have been planted in spoil from a slag heap in a slate quarry. If I water that trough, the water runs out of the bottom immediately as they're planted in very dry, slate debris.

                  Also, Polypodiums might be of interest to you. I found one growing in my gutter and in accordance with my policy of rarely paying for anything :) it was transplanted into one of my troughs.
                   
                  • Like Like x 2
                  • Funny Funny x 1
                    Last edited: Mar 31, 2017
                  • Sirius

                    Sirius Total Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Jun 26, 2012
                    Messages:
                    1,426
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Location:
                    Hertfordshire
                    Ratings:
                    +1,225
                    Kindredspirit,

                    Ok I have those 2 you list. So will put them in.
                    Am planning on setting up the trough this weekend.

                    Also have a few other bits and pieces to try, so will see how I go with them.
                     
                    • Like Like x 1
                    • Sirius

                      Sirius Total Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Jun 26, 2012
                      Messages:
                      1,426
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Location:
                      Hertfordshire
                      Ratings:
                      +1,225
                      Put it together on the weekend

                      IMG_8430.JPG
                       
                      • Like Like x 6
                      • kindredspirit

                        kindredspirit Gardening around a big Puddle. :)

                        Joined:
                        Nov 21, 2009
                        Messages:
                        3,671
                        Gender:
                        Male
                        Occupation:
                        Retired.
                        Location:
                        Western Ireland (but in a cold pocket)
                        Ratings:
                        +4,585
                        Very good. I like flint. What is the spindly plant bottom left and the plant lower middle left?
                         
                        • Like Like x 1
                        • Sirius

                          Sirius Total Gardener

                          Joined:
                          Jun 26, 2012
                          Messages:
                          1,426
                          Gender:
                          Male
                          Location:
                          Hertfordshire
                          Ratings:
                          +1,225
                          Greyish plant is a Chelmesia
                          Creeping plant at the edge is Sedum album
                           
                          • Like Like x 1
                          • kindredspirit

                            kindredspirit Gardening around a big Puddle. :)

                            Joined:
                            Nov 21, 2009
                            Messages:
                            3,671
                            Gender:
                            Male
                            Occupation:
                            Retired.
                            Location:
                            Western Ireland (but in a cold pocket)
                            Ratings:
                            +4,585
                          • Sirius

                            Sirius Total Gardener

                            Joined:
                            Jun 26, 2012
                            Messages:
                            1,426
                            Gender:
                            Male
                            Location:
                            Hertfordshire
                            Ratings:
                            +1,225
                            Hopefully the various bits will grow and cover the area a bit more.
                            This is my first try with Cheilanthes. They are known to be a bit difficult, so will see how I get on with them.
                             
                          Loading...

                          Share This Page

                          1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                            By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                            Dismiss Notice