 Growing Gardens
with Julia Hancock
A Fondness For Fronds
Winter is a good time to admire ferns, as they are able to claim more prominence when there is less floral competition around.
The noble tree fern (Dicksonia and Cyathea spp.) is one of the more spectacular Australian native ferns and providing conditions are suitable, it will propagate its own colony in the fullness of time. Underplanted with a cluster of bird's nest ferns and other non-flowering plants, tree ferns are always a pleasure to behold.
Ferns come in many shades of mostly green, sometimes variegated, but occasionally bronzey-brown and even pinkish. In the latter group, the Doodias or rasp ferns, are notably attractive. Doodia media ssp. is a hardy cold- and heat-tolerant species widespread in rainforests along Australia's eastern seaboard and now becoming popular in home gardens from north Queensland to Tasmania. It is a member of the Blechnum family, which also includes the gristle fern, reported to be one of the hardiest ferns in cultivation. Its cousin Blechnum nudum or fishbone water fern, makes a terrific pot specimen if kept moist.
 Tree ferns are a spectacular native plant.
There are now hundreds of ferns readily available in garden centres, but no fern garden is complete without a maidenhair, the most graceful of all the decorative ferns. Despite its name, filmy maidenhair (Adiantum diaphanum) is worth seeking out because it's deceptively tough and is equally at home in a pot or in a shady rockery.
Although not a true fern, as it belongs to the club moss family, coral fern (Lycopodium cernuum) is a versatile, scrambling fern which can cope with sun or shade. Most ferns can be used in fresh flower arrangements, but this one has the distinction of being able to be used dry as well.
Need inspiration? One of the best places to see ferns growing in their natural habitat is Mount Warning National Park, 17km southwest of Murwillumbah, off the Uki Road.
Lismore Garden Club
 Spring competition gardeners should start to really prepare their garden for judging with only 4-5 weeks to go. Large lettuce with well advanced plants should be planted with a dose of soluble fertiliser to kick start their growth.
Shrubs and flowers in general will need a light pruning, the yellow leaves removed and a shaping of the shrubs without removing any of flower buds.
Tall flowers and shrubs that have a tendency to lean over should be straightened using fishing line, with props put under the plant so as they're not visible to the naked eye, unless you take a closer look. More next week.
Happy gardening – Don 6624 3855
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