Ferns Abound

I needed to fill in some spaces throughout the garden this year. I decided to use "Godzilla" Giant Japanese Painted Ferns (Athyrium 'Godzilla') instead of annuals or other sun dependent plants. These ferns can grow as much as 3' and require little maintenance. I have several in the garden already.

After planting one behind the Guan Yin statue earlier this summer, I planted two more, one near the garden bell, and the other near the inner corner of the East Gate.

The bell area has been a problem this year. As a result of growing trees in the woodlot and the explosive growth of the Bamboo along the see-through fence this year, the once sunny area under the bell is now much more shaded. 

In addition, the Iron Butterfly Narrow-Leaf Ironweed (Verononia lettermannii 'Iron Butterfly') to the left of the bell is a slow grower, but once underway in mid August, it gets large and crowds out anything else I have attempted to plant  near the bell. 

This fern (planted between the Iron Butterfly and the bell post) should be able to compete well - shade is its friend.

The area in the corner near the East Gate is in need of much work. 

Some of the smaller plants there died off, but the Forest Grass and the Hosta there are long term growers that have just become too large. I will be removing them later this summer. However, in the back along the fence, there is a very shady spot, perfect for one of the large ferns.