Tuesday, September 1, 2020

A mossy branch with benefits

Back in early July I needed to pick-up Andrew after a fishing adventure (his, not mine) and parked right next to a downed tree with a lot of moss on it. Our weather had been dry, so the moss was dormant, I grabbed some anyway figuring it would green-up with watering. There was one piece that was attached to a short bit of branch, I laid it here, at the base of our fence and as the moss started to turn green fern fronds started to unfurl...

At first there was just one...


But then others started to appear.

I believe this is our native Polypodium glycyrrhiza, aka Licorice fern. This fern goes dormant in the summertime, but reappears with the rains in the fall, it's often seen growing on the branches of trees. The tall metal rectangle is planted with a Holboellia coriacea 'Cathedral Gem'.

It's growing up this piece of expanded metal, but not showing any signs of flowering.

I figured the mossy branch would add an extra-nice bit of green at it's base, the ferns are an unexpected bonus.

Weather Diary, Sept 1: Hi 75, Low 58/ Precip 0 

All material © 2009-2020 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

20 comments:

  1. Ah, another minor miracle of the kind you can't find in SoCal. Ferns growing in trees sounds magical.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember the first time we saw it upon moving here we both were amazed and thought that tree was special. Then we started seeing it all over town.

      Delete
  2. That is absolutely SO COOL! I'm envious.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This post was slowly 'unfurling' to reveal a plant waterfall. Very nice. Love the Licorice fern surprise - how lucky are you?
    I'd like to see a close-up of the planted wooden knob situated in top-center metal screen. It looks like something straight out of the dg shop.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha, actually I planted another, slightly larger version I planned to list three, but decided to let the plant grow a bit first. I'll do a vignette with a close up of that piece so you can see it better (soon).

      Delete
  4. How exciting. I love gift surprises like this. Surprise mosses started growing on my hypertufa pot in the hidden garden. I was as thrilled as I am sure you are.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Aah, isn't Nature amazing? Like finding a corn plant growing out of a plant pot - courtesy of a kernel of corn dropped into the backyard by some anonymous critter. Or seeing a tomato plant growing out of a crack in the sidewalk...The Will to Live is powerful indeed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Excellent comparisons. I've also had an oak grow out of a container plant's pot thanks to a squirrel "planting" the acorn.

      Delete
  6. Fun bonus and a great find, Loree. Ma Nature is the best!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jeanne M DeBenedetti KeyesSeptember 01, 2020

    I love licorice fern! Congrats on grabbing a piece for yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful variety of mosses.It would be my pleasure if you join my link up party related to gardening here at http://jaipurgardening.blogspot.com/2020/08/garden-affair-love-for-caladiums.html

    ReplyDelete
  9. A little serindipitous surprise in the moss. Fun. Adds to the interesting plant-scaping on your great fence.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nature's cramscaping (plants growing on plants)

      Delete
  10. What a fabulous treat. And nothing is more soothing than the combo of moss and ferns.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's so true. We were supposed to vacation up in Washington this year and visit the Hoh Rainforest but sadly that didn't happen.

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Comment moderation is on (because you know: spam), I will approve and post your comment as soon as possible!