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"Possibility and promise greet me each day as I walk out into my garden. My vigor is renewed when I breathe in the earthiness and feel the dirt between my fingers. My garden is a peaceful spot to refresh my soul." Meems






Welcome to my Central Florida Garden Blog where we garden combining Florida natives, Florida-Friendly plants, and tropicals.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Native Leather Fern


This native fern is larger in habit than most we are familiar with in Florida. It is erect but slightly arching with an open formation and beautifully divided fronds that can grow up to 6-8 feet tall and 2 feet wide.

My leather fern (Acrostichum daneifolium)was placed in a container in filtered shade last winter. Two of these herbaceous perennials were planted in the ground at the same time as an additional textural layer. I often site a plant I'm not familiar with in a couple of different locations to measure its adaptability and to observe it for its most preferred environment. In this case the fern did equally as well in the ground and in a container. {It is the sprawling greenery in the blue pot between the black chairs.}

I bought three of these ferns at Florida Native Plants in Sarasota. I've not ever seen them in the Tampa Bay area for sale.

If you have a partially shady wet area or pond edge it would be very happy in those provisions. I don't happen to have those conditions and yet they didn't seem to require any more water than normal.

I LOVE mixing up natives with appropriate Florida-Friendly choices. We have so many options in this region!

Happy gardening, Meems

8 comments:

  1. Wow, what a beautiful fern. I couldn't grow it here unless I bring it in during winter. I have had luck with a few ferns brought indoors. I wonder if I can find this giant around here. I bet it wouldn't grow so big here. I would like to try it. That big red bloom on your header about knocked my eyes out. ha... it is still drab brown and gray here with a little green coming out.

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  2. Hmmm..I think I may have the perfect spot for one of those.Are they related to Cinnamon Fern?

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  3. That is one impressive fern. I don't think I've seen one in Australia but if I do ever see one for sale here it might come home with me.

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  4. That looks like a wonderful fern. My mom would love to have that. I will show her your blog, she is the fern collector in the family. Nice idea about putting new plants in several locations.

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  5. That is a great stately fern...I can see why it is called a leather fern...and its native...even more special!

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  6. I lived on Sanibel Island for 10 years and these ferns grew all over. I meant to get one for my new place in Ft. Myers but have been so busy with other plants that I forgot all about it. Thanks for reminding me. I've got the perfect place by my doglegged pond.

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  7. We are in the Tampa Bay Area! Just a quick drive down the highway. Thanks for the mention Meems and thanks for championing natives. - Annie from Florida Native Plants Nursery & Landscaping in Sarasota.

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  8. P.S. Whenever you mention natives, I post your blog to our facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/FloridaNativePlantsNursery

    Thank you Meems! Annie

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Have a blessed day,
Meems


September 2010

Back Garden: October 2010

Louise Philippe: Antique Rose

Tropical Pathway