Many of today’s modern ferns are descendants of ancient plants that have lived on the earth for millions of years. This fact alone speaks of their hardy and resilient nature but although ferns are tough plants, they are also graceful, striking and surprisingly easy to care for!
Just one large fern planted in an urn provides a focal point of instant elegance, but potted ferns can be combined with other plants as well. The newly planted fern above will fill out quickly and the bright Creeping Jenny will spill generously over the edge. This simple but dramatic combination will light up my entryway all season long and require only minimal care. You can also group several pots of ferns together to create a soothing, serene and tropical looking summer oasis. Urban yards which many times lack abundant sunlight are the perfect settings for potted ferns!
Although ferns are thought of as shade plants, some are remarkably sun tolerant. As a general rule in Zone 6, I like to place ferns where they get morning sun followed by afternoon shade to protect them during the hottest part of the day. If you live in warmer areas of the country, you’ll want to provide your ferns with more shade. The beauty of planting ferns in pots is that you can easily move them around to find their perfect happy place!
The following colorful hardy ferns look fabulous in pots and are easy care for beginners and experienced gardeners alike:
Japanese Painted Fern
The popular Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’ is variegated with graceful fronds of varying silver, purple and burgundy coloration. The variety ‘Burgundy Lace’ emerges as a striking purple-red in early spring, slowly changing to silvery green with deep red ribs. ‘Metallicum’ retains a cool silvery-gray metallic sheen and really lights up darker areas.
Autumn Fern
If you prefer a warmer palette, the Autumn Fern, Dryopteris erythrosora, emerges a bright orange-red or copper color in the spring, then slowly changes to a bright green. ‘Brilliance’ is a particularly striking variety with new fronds showing dazzling color throughout the season. This well-behaved fern is perfectly sized for growing in pots with companion plants but it does prefer more shade!
Hay Scented Fern
Dennstaedtia punctiloba, the common Hay Scented Fern, is so called because it emits a pleasant scent reminiscent of freshly mowed hay when crushed or disturbed. These bright chartreuse ferns change to a pleasing soft yellow in the cooler days of fall. Hay Scented Ferns can be aggressive spreaders in the garden but are easily contained in a large pot where one plant makes an eye-catching specimen. In spite of their delicate and lacy appearance, these ferns can tolerate more sun than others.
You can purchase ferns at any garden center but if you already grow ferns in your garden or know someone who does, mature clumps can easily be spaded up and divided in the spring to grow on in pots.
Ferns enjoy rich, humusy soil which retains moisture so you may want to add a little compost to your potting mixture. Water your potted ferns early in the morning so that any drops of moisture on the fronds dry off before the sun gets hot enough to cause sunburn. Ferns like to be kept evenly moist but not waterlogged. A little liquid kelp once a month should be all the fertilizer they require to look their best.
At the end of the growing season in October, ferns can be planted back into the garden, or the pots can be moved to an unheated garage or cellar for the winter months. This cold period will mimic their natural outdoor conditions. Give them a small drink of water about once a month while dormant indoors, just enough to keep them from completely drying out. Move the pots back outside once temperatures have warmed up in the spring and resume watering as usual. Potted ferns should grow well for about three years when they will need to be divided to start the process once again.
