Gardeners Tips

 

Growing Shuttlecock Ferns

My ferns are making a spring comeback and this Ostrich Feather Fern looks like its name. As the fronds uncurl its other common name the Shuttlecock Fern will also be appropriate. However its real name is Matteuccia Struthiopteris the only fern in this particular family. To find out more visit The British Pteridological Society.

The fronds distinctive shape make the fern easy to identify. The ostrich fern looks best grown in groups on its own in dappled shade in woodland. The plant spreads slowly by underground rhizomes and can build up large groups.

Cultivating Ferns

• Ferns grow in light woodland and most prefer damp and an open structure to the soil with a high humus content.
• Larger types with delicate fronds dislike windy conditions
• Ferns are shallow rooted and resent being disturbed.
• Plant in early autumn to allow roots to settle before winter. Avoid relocating ferns once planted.
• All soil will benefit from added humus but in sandy soil this and a thick mulch are essential.
• In a harsh winter mulch to protect the crowns.
• Once the danger of frost has passed the previous years fronds should be cut back.

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Don’t let them seed until you have had the fill of flowers from your plants.

Encourage your plants to go on flowering by taking off the dying and dead flowers to encourage more flowers.

Why is deadheading necessary?
Cutting off the spent flowers before they put energy into seed production is called Deadheading. It is worth doing that now (Mid April) to your Daffodils so the bulbs get the energy for next year.
Many plants particularly bedding plants will flower again and again if deadheaded. Flowers are pre-programmed to go on flowering until they have set seed, as part of species survival. Once they have set seed they stop flowering.
Deadheading tidies up plants that may otherwise get damaged or look unsightly.
Many shrubs will put energy into new growth for next season.
You can extend the flowering period or get a second flush of flowers on Lupins for example.
Deadhead to stop prolific plants from self-sowing in places you do not want and all weeds.

How you Deadhead
Prune the spent or finished flowers or pinching them off with your fingers.
For plants with lots of tiny flowers it may be easier to deadhead by shearing back the whole plant.
Cut off Lupin spikes as the bottom flowers turn to seed so you get a second flush.

What not to Deadhead
Plants grown for the beauty of the seedhead like late flowering clematis Honesty and Nigella.
Plants grown for their winter berries such as Pyracantha and Roses grown for Hips (Rugosa types).
Ornamental grasses and plants that will not flower again that year like Poppies.
Plants that keep on flowering or self-deadhead like Alyssum and modern Petunias.
Plants where you want to collect the seed or self sowers.
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Hippocratic Oats

Do you suffer from Plumbago
Is your back a little sore
Or perhaps it’s Pyracanthus
Which you caught in Singapore
You’ve a nasty little Hosta
Which I think I’ll have to lance
And I notices a Spirea
Has been leading you a dance
Are you getting forgetful
Is Nemesia the cause
Does your Antirrhinum pain you
When you’re walking out of doors
You’ve had Skimmia Rubella
I can see it in your nose
And Cornus Capitosa
Has played havoc with your toes
How is your Viburnum Tinus
Have you lost your sense of smell
Use Syringia Reflexa
That should help to keep it well
I’m afraid your Macrocrocarpus
Isn’t really up to scratch
And do avoid Nigella
It’s a nasty thing to catch
Still I think you are doing nicely
Watch your Quercus in your knees
Take your Berberis twice nightly
Cheerio! Next patient please!

Doctor G. Arden

Herbal treatments for none of the above see