A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 ferns :( having issues...

Hi all I planted 3 lovely HUGE ferns in my yard last march, and they did beautifully all year, untill october when they began to die back. I read that pruning was not necessary, so I let them die to a 'skeletal' state. I am starting to worry now as I cannot see ANY signs of life here in DE and it's been quite temperate for weeks. Is there anything I SHOULD be doing?

Thanks so much for your advice, as I really love these ferns and would like to help them come back this year.

Meg

Its still early for new growth in your zone. Give them a little longer and they will surprise you one morning.

Hi Meg!

I agree with Bill! I'm just starting to see a little sign of life on a few of my ferns and I'm sure that in about a week I'll be seeing something on my other ones. Just be patient!

patches

My cinnamon fern are just starting to green up - no actual growth yet. I love how they look almost prehistoric in how they unfurl!

Thanks so much for your input, I'll try to be patient lol. Does everyone think that I should leave the dead growth alone (i suspect that's a definate oxymoron lol), or should I whack it to the ground?

Thanks again!

Meg

Just me being gardenly challenged but arnt ferns meant to be evergreen?

Hi Meighan, did you check your ferns today? I have one leaf on two of my three ferns. You're not far from me so I bet yours are waking up too. I don't recall seeing any ferns while hiking during the winter though they love acidic soil and do well with evergreens.

Ferns are not evergreen at least not here in the north.
I do snip the dead growth myself..for the appearance. I have 6 and they are all starting to pop up a bit now.. yours should be right quick too.

Sword Ferns and Deer Ferns are evergreens...

Thanks Bill !!I have lady ferns they die back!
Deer ferns are cool!! I did not know that thanks I might want to check into one. especially in the winter it is nice to see some life!

Thanks Bill, never heard of either one. I have Japanese Painted, and Christmas. Have several houseplant ferns as well. I am always looking for something that stays green during the winter months to avoid the "dead" look. Thanks again.