Home » Plants & Animals » Shade Gardening » Two Ferns and a Hellebore in the Circle Garden

Two Ferns and a Hellebore in the Circle Garden

© Marge Talt

Polystichum setiferum 'Divisilobum'

 The sharp contrast in leaf forms between these two relatives is amazing. The actual texture is quite different, too, this one being harder and slicker to the touch. This fern will almost stay evergreen for me. Almost. In normally severe winters, it dies back, but in mild ones, like last winter, some of the fronds remain green.

 Polystichum setiferum is extremely variable, with over three hundred cultivars having been selected. I keep reading that plantlets grow down the length of the rachis, but, squint as I might, I have not seen this on these two ferns. Originating in Europe, this species is widely grown in gardens in the temperate parts of the world. It's easy to grow in moist soil in shade to partial shade.

 Behind the ferns, at the top of the wall, is my oldest hellebore.

Helleborus orientalis Hybrid

 Of course, my plant was sold to me as H. orientalis (Lenten Rose), but it's not the true species. Most all plants sold under that name are actually hybrids of some kind. Some are intentional and some are just the basic promiscuity of the species. All, however, are lovely and, unless you are a total hellebore snob, worthy of space in your garden.

 Most references will tell you that hellebores have to have alkaline soil. While most are found on chalk, they will grow just as well in slightly acid soil. They appreciate soil with a lot of humus incorporated - preferably leaf mould, but they'll take anything that's nicely rotted. Well rotted manure is another favorite of theirs. They are deep rooted, so double dig your site if you can. If you can't, at least dig a deep hole for them and break up the subsoil at the bottom. They also like a nice organic mulch.

 Few hellebores like to be parched, although they will tolerate a certain amount of dryness in summer. They prefer a nice, rich (they are fairly greedy feeders), moist soil. Keep in mind that they insist on good drainage. These are not plants for the bog and soggy soil will kill them.

 These are plants that really would rather not be disturbed. They can go many years without dividing. When you divide them, pay attention to their growth patterns. Many, like my lady, do a substantial amount of leaf growth in autumn. September is an ideal time to divide. Hellebores can also be propagated by seed. Fresh seed will germinate readily after a warm/cold period. Stored seed can take years to germinate. Since seed you buy through seed suppliers is always dried and stored, it doesn't germinate well or easily, giving rise to the theory that these plants are hard to grow from seed. Not true, if you have fresh seed. If you have a clump for a few years, you will find many seedlings around it. You can dig and pot or dig and move these easily.