Creating a Lush Garden: Growing Ferns Alongside Hostas
- John Plant
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
Transforming your outdoor space into a serene oasis can be effectively achieved by incorporating ferns and Hostas. These plants offer exceptional versatility, elegance, and ease of maintenance, making them ideal for both novice gardeners seeking to create a lush, inviting landscape with minimal complexity, and experienced horticulturists looking for reliable options.
To begin, let us consider the reasons these plants are advantageous choices.
Hostas are renowned for their vibrant foliage and adaptability. With an extensive range of colours, sizes, and textures, Hostas can significantly enhance the visual appeal of any garden. These plants are relatively easy to cultivate and can thrive in diverse soil conditions, making them an ideal choice, especially for novice gardeners.
Ferns are esteemed for their finely divided fronds, which impart an air of sophistication to any garden environment. Similar to Hostas, they flourish in shaded and semi-shaded conditions, making them ideal for areas with dappled sunlight. Ferns require minimal maintenance, needing only occasional watering and feeding. Their verdant foliage adds an element of luxury and tranquility, establishing them as a preferred choice among gardeners.
Ferns thrive in the same growing conditions as Hostas, making them excellent companion plants. Similar to Hostas, some ferns prefer varying levels of sunlight or shade. Additionally, ferns can introduce colours not typically found in Hostas, such as shades of purple or even rusty hues.
Let’s look at a few stunning combinations, that you could use in your garden
The prominent, bold blue/green leaves of Hosta Blue Angel are complemented by the large, upright Dryopteris Wallichiana, featuring its delicate foliage and dark central ribs. This combination is truly remarkable.
The same fern exhibits striking golden brown, almost rusty coloured emerging foliage that complements the bright yellow unfurling foliage of Hosta Eye Declare. These ferns present an impressive appearance as they begin to grow and unfurl their rusty fronds, especially on a sunny day. The young foliage of both the Hosta and the fern offer a whole new level of early season interest.
Incorporating ferns intermittently among Hostas can create an appealing contrast in shapes and colours. With numerous varieties of fern sizes and shapes available, as well as Hostas, there is ample opportunity to devise a visually engaging planting scheme. It is advisable to experiment with various combinations. Consider pairing darker green ferns with lighter green ones, and larger ferns with smaller counterparts to enhance visual interest.
For a serene, woodland-themed border, consider combining the delicate, yet exquisite, Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium otophorum Okanum), which features striking blue foliage, with the vibrantly coloured Hosta First Frost. These plants complement each other beautifully.
It is noteworthy that the optimal growing season for Hostas coincides with that of deciduous Ferns. Both types of plants thrive during the same period. To ensure visual interest in your garden during the winter months, when Hostas enter dormancy, it is advisable to incorporate evergreen ferns into your border.
Hostas are visually appealing in containers, as are many types of ferns. It is perfectly acceptable to place ferns in pots and position them near your Hostas. Both can be relocated as needed to alter the visual arrangement. This also gives you the opportunity to have more delicate Ferns that need sheltered overwintering.
Extreme contrast can also be effective. For example, place a bright, vibrant, variegated yellow and green Hosta Hudson Bay adjacent to one of the larger, more upright ferns such as the Dryopteris Wallichiana, which features dark frond stems.
Tips for success
Looking after your ferns and Hostas need not be intimidating. Here are a few useful tips that may help.
Right location!
Hostas and ferns thrive in shaded to partially shaded environments, as direct sunlight may damage their delicate foliage. It is recommended to plant them in well-drained areas to avoid water-logging and root rot.
Provide adequate watering!
Whilst Hostas & Ferns require slightly different moisture requirements, both appreciate consistent watering. Keep the soil evenly moist.
Mulching Matters!
Apply a layer of mulch to help retain moisture (and reduce weed germination), whilst maintaining a more consistent soil temperature.
Fertilise sparingly!
Ferns and Hostas do not require heavy fertilisation. It is advisable to apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser early in the season to maintain essential nutrients throughout the growing period.
Divide & Conquer!
Over time, Hostas and ferns can grow large and become overcrowded. Dividing them every few years, as needed, helps to rejuvenate the plants and allows for redistribution around the garden at no additional cost.
Gardening with Hostas and Ferns creates a captivating landscape that brings nature's serenity to your doorstep. With the graceful fronds of ferns and the colourful foliage of Hostas, their compatibility with shade conditions makes these plant combinations ideal for creating a woodland charm.
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John Plant
Rewela Hostas
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