A few of my ferns

Since my fern ramblings tend to be rather Pyrrosia heavy, I thought I'd do a fern-focused post that wasn't on that genus. It's also not about my other fern love, dryland, sun-tolerant ferns (I've already done one of those). It's also not comprehensive. When I think about writing a post dealing with just one type of plant, I tend get a little obsessed about cataloguing them all, which is why I haven't done a post about my agaves in a while. So that's what this post isn't, what is it then? Just a look at a few ferns around the garden, plants I think are cool and wanted to share photos of...

Drynaria (Aglaomorpha) coronans, aka basket fern—the common name references the way it grows naturally. If I lived in USDA Hardiness Zone 10 I could mount this plant on a tree, where it would grow to hug the trunk and form a "basket" to collect debris that would (along with rainfall) feed the plant.

But since I can't leave this fern outdoors year round in my climate, I grow it in containers that can come inside over the winter. The plants in the photo above are growing in a hanging trashcan lid. The shallow planting area means there's not too much soil and the metal material blends into the other containers in my garden.

This short terracotta planter used to be filled with Aglaomorpha coronans. I pulled the plants out to divide them so I could share with at friend. In doing so I broke off the piece you see stuck to the side, I didn't realize just how strongly it was secured to the terracotta. 

I would have never had the courage to break it off on purpose, but I'm thrilled to see how it does. I stuck an Asplenium nidus (bird's nest fern) in the container, I think the two took good together.

This is my oldest Aglaomorpha coronans. It's fronds are super tall...

On to a couple ferns on the patio... 

Ferns and agaves existing side by side.

Blechnum gibbum 'Silver Lady', a dwarf tree fern. I brought this plant back from our trip to CA last January.

It's done well outside over the summer. I hope I can keep it happy indoors over the cooler months (it's not winter hardy here).

Blechnum tabulare. 

It's another one that's not hardy here, but in its native South Africa it's a tree fern.

In this same corner of the patio is my collection of Sphaeropteris cooperi (aka Cyathea cooperi, Australian Tree Fern).

The larger one was our Christmas tree back in 2024, the smaller one I picked up at West Seattle Nursery this spring.

There's a third now. Thanks to the mystery lady who left plants on my doorstep a few weeks back.

They're so fuzzy!

This little epiphytic fern, Selliguea platyphylla, is doing well on its mossy lithophytic mount.

It's all an experiment after all...

Speaking of experiments, Blechnum brasiliense continues to do well in this planter with minimal soil.

Pyrrosia sp. SEH#15113 (from the RSBG) is smashed in there with it.

From Far Reaches Farm, Lepisorus cf. sect. pseudovittaria MD 15-45. Just rolls off the tongue, right?

I can't believe how much growth this kokedama'd Campyloneurum angustifolium has put on this year.

When I bought it back in 2025 it only had a half dozen or so fronds.

In the terracotta dish on the step is Microsorum thailandicum, the blue oil fern. On the left, in the square planter, is Neolepisorus fortunei 'Green Ribbons'...

Which will always win the prize (or at least be a contender) for best sori in the garden.

I lied when I said this would be a post without Pyrrosia, a couple were bound to sneak in. 

Pyrrosia hastata, I repotted it this spring and it's been a shaggy plant star all summer.

Athyrium otophorum

I love the coloration on this fern. The only thing that would make it better is if it were evergreen.

Planting an Asplenium trichomanes the other day, I looked up to see I was actually sitting under the fronds of one of my Dicksonia antarcica, a tree fern. It's in a container, but still... a happy moment.

I brought this little cutie home from my trip to Spokane in April, a gift from a gardener I visited there. He labeled it as Neolepisorus ovatus.

It's put out a few new fronds this summer.

Davallia perdurans PMD, from Far Reaches Farm.

This is the ferniest fern in my garden. Not a look I am normally drawn to, but I love it.

I'll wrap things up with a new frond on one of my Woodwardia unigemmata. They've all been tortured for the last month and a half as Andrew has been scraping the back of the house (all the way down to bare wood), prepping and painting. I gathered them up and tied them at the base, then flagged each planting so they don't get stepped on. This plant decided to push out a new frond in September despite that treatment, yay!

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Walking the Elmwood neighborhood during the Buffalo Fling—the second half

We're back in Buffalo's Elmwood neighborhood and visiting three different gardens, the remainder of Saturday's Fling visits. First up, the one belonging to Annabelle Irey and Jim Locke...

From the Fling program: "A white picket fence surrounds the main garden, known as “Mary’s Garden”, with a crushed brick path and a pond. Interesting plants include dahlias, tropicals and flowering vines."

Acanthus spinosus (I believe), in the hell strip.

Up into the garden proper, where the plants fill the driveway.

Fairy gardens are not my thing, but I appreciated hearing Annabelle tell stories about how she encourages the kids who visit to rearrange and make these little gardens their own. I was also impressed with the metal, terra cotta and cement accoutrements. No flashy plastic here!

The back garden.

The next garden belonged to Hillary and Matt Turco.

Sauromatum venosum in the front garden.

This exuberant planter was parked at the front of the long narrow walkway to the back garden.

From the Fling program: "This once concrete backyard now hosts a lush wonderland of shrubs, perennials, annuals and trees. Everything from a full shade garden to a fascinating tropical display is included in this typical Buffalo property, where the first look gives no indication of what lies ahead."

Yes indeed! You'd never guess this oasis is at the back of the house...

More lush planters full of Sauromatum venosum, Amorphophallus konjac, bananas and cannas. Be still my heart!

Smaller container garden.

Which included a couple pots of chaya, mexican tree spinach...

There's Sound Gardener, my friend Michelle...

There was a lot of plant goodness tucked into this small back garden.

A few surprises hidden in the mix too.

I love their attention to detail.

Heather, Emily, and Michelle patiently waiting for me, the one who's always lagging behind snapping photos.

Persicaria virginiana 'Painter's Palette'

The last image from the Turco garden...

Now we're at Greg and Judy Gima's Coatsworth Gardens: "This garden showcases a canopy of more than 60 trees amidst a tapestry of hundreds of perennial blooms and flowering shrubs. A fish pond harmonizes with a babbling brook, and cascading waterfalls lend a tranquil charm. Artful garden installations punctuate the space, while a fire pit and gazebo offer relaxing retreats."

Entering we felt a little like we might have got the wrong garden.

Not that it wasn't fabulous, but it just felt like nobody was expecting us.

It turns out that was the case. We heard communication got mixed up somewhere along the line and the garden owners didn't expect the Flingers through that afternoon. 

What is it with Buffalo gardens and dragons I wonder?

I'm glad we got to wander through this very personal garden and appreciate the owners making the best of it. I've got one day of Fling coverage left to share!

The Bit at the End

Check out the wire work on this Instagram page, ss.art___wirecraft. It's fabulous. I think I might need to try my hand at making a wire wreaths this winter.

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