POV Gardening - Shady Fern Planting around a Small Jungle Garden Pond

[@markborder906]

You have picked some good ferns there. You said you wanted to keep a theme through the planting. Dryopteris atrata is one of a group of similar to very similar species from North America and Asia that would allow you to keep the scheme but with subtle variations. These include D namegate and dickinsii. Plus a few others I can’t remember off the top of my head , (names also from memory so spelling could be off). The Polystichum (pronounced Pol-is-tikum) - ch is pronounced as a hard c in Latin I was told, as you were doing it in Blechnum) is another good choice, it is inclined to start early into growth so one often looses fronds to late frosts. There are many wonderful Polystichums you could consider including some of the cultivars of our native setiferum - the soft shield fern. Also look at the artificial hybrid x Dycei it has a great story behind it and produces baby plants on the frond tip. The Blechnum (the “I” pronounced as the capital letter in spicant) is one I struggle with even though it grows wild a few hundred yards from me. I have some self-sown plants growing on a bank of pure clay which I hope will do well. It does like to be on a slope. There are a few other ferns I would strongly recommend to add to the jungle feel. No 1 would be any of the hardy Adiantums - maidenhair ferns - they look so delicate but are as tough as they come. Especially venustum, aleuticum or oedatum (better still, all 3) the young fronds on some are stunningly beautiful. The hybrid x Mairsii is proving surprisingly hardy. Given the other things you are overwintering and the protection you have, if you want something to challenge the tree ferns consider Woodwardia radicans or unigemmata. I have had fronds 8 feet long in the garden and you get coloured new fronds. Plus baby plants on the tip, useful to keep a couple potted as insurance in case of a very cold winter. If you are feeling really ambitious, look for Lophosoria quadripinnata - a trunkless tree fern cousin that can produce enormous fronds with a fabulous silvery blue underside. One well worth looking for, it is available commercially occasionally, is Microsorum fortunei. This is very un-fern-like but very tropical looking. It has thick narrow dark green fronds that arise vertically from a rhizome that creeps slowly over the ground. I have another couple of hundred suggestions but better stop now, it’s getting too long.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Wow Mark, what an informative, thorough and intriguing post - there's some great fern ideas in there! Thank you very much for taking the time, I will pin your post at the top so other people can use your ideas too. Regarding the ch, I know it's a hard c but I'm more than happy to admit I may make slip ups or pronunciation errors, especially during these POV type videos. I try to put them together with minimal 'planning' or editing to give a more realistic experience but I admit I probably should have done some googling first there! One of the things I really try to do and encourage others is to have a go and move away from the common names more - the Latin really can reveal so much about plants without even seeing them. I'll certainly have to google some of your suggestions but I have got Woodwardia radicans and unigemmata in the garden (still, hopefully). Other than a couple, I think the -6 took most of them out last year - potentially I should have given them more protection with them being small. I've liked Lophosoria quadripinnata for quite some time but it's only ever seems to be available in expensive sizes unfortunately. The undersides to the fronds are striking! Sometimes I do envy people like Jimi Blake at Hunting Brook Gardens or some of the Cornish valley gardens, they've got the right mix of shade, space and a mild, damp climate to really do some of these giant ferns justice. Obviously if we're in the dream world then Angiopteris evecta would be top of the list! Thanks again for the ideas and I'll certainly have a look through them again when I'm next looking for some ferns.

[@maartendegroote5727]

I really like these POV videos. I have a tiny garden and there's only so much I can do in it. This is kinda the closest thing to actually gardening. Thanks

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, I appreciate it Maarten! It'll be great for me to have something to look back on too (when I've completed most of my big projects!). I'm pleased they've brought you into the experience, thanks again for taking the time to watch.

[@shineamenmbs3107]

All these small ferns are so seductive and the little pound as well. The Gunnera will be huge in a few days/weeks! Yes, we could hear the sound of the water hitting the leaves! :) Thank you George, cheerio!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Definitely 😃 Thanks Bernard, I’ll have to get another video when it’s raining in summer 😃

[@shineamenmbs3107]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Always a pleasure George! I dropped you a late comment on the previous video. No offense nor reproach inteeded of course, as i was very late and as you are very busy. Bad Bernie! Lol

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@shineamenmbs3107 Don’t worry, just going to the comments now as it’s been a busy week. Mainly busy as I spend most of the Easter weekend in the garden though and got loads done so can’t complain! I try to reply to every comment and there’s no such thing as late on here so don’t worry!

[@shineamenmbs3107]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden ❤️

[@richardkeane2308]

'I don't want too much symmetry.' Words of wisdom. What i like most about your vids. is that you have done all the work yourself, - you don't have a team of 20 gardeners behind you. And your garden shows a vast amount of your work. Thanks for another great vid.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you! I’m not against a bit of formality and occasional symmetry as it think it really balances out the wilder areas (a lot like some of the Cornish gardens) but yes, I’m pleased I made the decision to swap things around here. Thanks, I appreciate it! To be honest I wouldn’t have the same enjoyment if somebody else did it for me, obviously there’s the cost benefit too! I’ve been digging for 5 hours today and I know the end result will be worth it, yes I might make some mistakes but a lot of the reward is definitely in the journey and knowing you did something yourself.

[@martynskoipondandgarden4581]

love the ferns ive just added some to my new shrub bed great video my friend 👍👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much and great choice!

[@martynskoipondandgarden4581]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden you are welcome

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@martynskoipondandgarden4581 Cheers, happy gardening Martyn!

[@tonycastro9997]

Hi George great video, always look forward to seeing the ongoing progression off your garden. Couple of ferns worth considering which I have is ‘Dryopteris Affinis Cristata Angustata’ and ‘Dryopteris Wallichiana’ which has black fronds and looks a bit like a small tree fern. Good for drier parts of the garden.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Tony! They're two top choices. I'm a fan of Dryopeteris wallichiana especially, it gets big and the lime green / black contrast is very striking. It definitely has that tree fern vibe too, you're right! Bring on spring and new frond time!

[@paigeturner165]

Just had a wander in Amsterdam botanical garden and thought you’d love the glass houses 👍🏼

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Fantastic Paige, lucky you! Yes, I’ve seen pics before, it looks amazing! Any particular highlights for you?

[@paigeturner165]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden I climb d up to look down on all the plants from the roof if the glasshouse… that was a highlight for other people… I’m scared of heights 😂 I’m ticking off my list of gardens this year 👍🏼

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@paigeturner165 Wow haha, I bet 😂 Nice one, that’s amazing! I hope you have a great time away 😃

[@missdimples1982]

My Dad will always say the same, mulching is one of the most important things to do in a garden or allotment

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Definitely, very true and worth it for these big leaved plants especially! 😃

[@tedscott1478]

Empress Wu could be a statement plant in the right place.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

That is very true, some of the larger hostas are definitely monsters with proper presence, I suppose mine is a bit unlucky to be sandwiched between the Gunnera!

[@brenmuk]

Another great video, really enjoying this POV series. Congrats BTW on simultaneously presenting, filming and gardening👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! I know it’s not everybody’s style but I’ll keep doing them alongside my other vids, it makes demonstrating gardening a lot easier and hopefully engaging. It is a bit of a learning curve as you might imagine and I try to treat it like live TV with only minimal editing & planning. A bit of a challenge but hopefully offers a different experience of my gardening and the thought processes behind it.

[@gardenreel]

Great upload 👌 Beautiful garden and ferns

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much, I do enjoy this time of year when everything is just getting growing! 😃

[@razeem]

Like all your videos! Keep them coming.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Mohamed 😃

[@irismoles9369]

It’s going to look good when it fills out

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Iris, hopefully! I do like a good packed in mixture of greens 😃

[@claireskrine4837]

I've moved a couple of ferns from my very shady small basement garden to quite shady first floor flat roof garden.....and pigeons are pecking off the leaves before they start unfurling! I've now got clear plastic covers over them to give them a start.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Oh dear! Not a problem I’ve encountered Claire but I’d definitely be protecting them too! Hopefully they leave them alone once they’ve opened out fully!

[@joezimmerman1089]

I like Thalia dealbata, Nelumbo komarovii and Salvinia mimima in ponds for the tropical swamp look. Lobelia cardinalis is a good marginal too.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Those are some great suggestions, thanks! I’ve heard of the Thalia and Lobelia but not the others so I’ll have a look. I’ve actually got a water canna to go in there as soon as it warms up a bit, I thought it into the polytunnel for winter.

[@joezimmerman1089]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden The N. komarovii is the only lotus that can flower in the cool summers of the UK. It's worth a try for that alone but tough to get a hold of.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@joezimmerman1089 Interesting, something I’ll have to look into if I make another water feature. Thanks for the suggestions! 😃

[@tedscott1478]

You're obviously a paragon of sartorial elegance sir...🤭

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

😂 I have no defence!

[@DJSupaflyguy]

👌👌👌👌

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks for watching as always!

[@emilm2331]

George, what did you make your path from? I have been thinking about options as i don't really like grass, especially mowing it, also a browner color is a great contrast to the green plants.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Emil. Mine is actually just made up of wood chippings from a tree surgeon I know! Very cheap as it has twigs and bark and all sorts in it. You want to make sure it’s hardwood really and not from a tree that had a fungus issue etc. Some of mine is on weed membrane, some isn’t because I wanted to make future path changes more easy. That being said I’m pretty happy with the main layout and it’s not the end of the world to have to top the wood up every few years anyway!

[@davros2128]

Love these POV George!! Need more demo videos!! Keep up the good work!! Content is gold!!!!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much, I’ve got more coming soon 😃 All the best for your spring gardening plans and cool logo!

[@heatherfindler6950]

Another great video! Funnily enough I have now planted my Gunnera and around it I have planted a selection of ferns and my 2 hostas are coming up too. I also have a small tree fern. How long will it take for my small Gunnera to grow to anything like the size of the ones in your video?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Heather and nice one, I’m sure they’ll all start to motor away now. If it’s a manicata then maybe 2-3 years, they grow pretty rapidly. The two outer plants were tiny offsets 3 years ago.

[@weemo28]

George - My banana plant survived its first winter, N. Ireland. It grew two large leaves right away with another on the way. I put it outside and the two leaves broke in the light wind. I think it is too tall so should I cut it down to start again?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one for getting it through and don’t worry about the two snapped leaves - inside-grown leaves are a lot weaker and prone to snapping outside. Just chop the leaves off if they’re flopping around but there’s no need to cut the stem back. New leaves should push through as soon as it warms up.

[@weemo28]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Thanks For your help George. I enjoy your videos and from one Musa Basjoo last year, I now have palms, Colocasia, ferns, grasses, cannas and more, ready for my very own Tropical Garden this year.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@weemo28 Nice one and that's a fantastic mixture of plants. Thanks! Good luck with your project and happy gardening!

[@aquachimp1]

Just by way of interest... All the ferns in my garden are unfurling, even the rather odd ones. There's just one exception: the new tree fern - the only fern I made sure to protect (yet kept watered in dry spells). There's still a bit of "green" on the fronds at the protected level, but no sign of re-shooting. How long should I wait do you suggest?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Don’t worry at all, tree ferns often flush in May, newer tree ferns potentially even later. You don’t want them to flush too early as they’re more susceptible to late frost damage then. Just keep it well watered and I’m sure it’ll be fine.

[@aquachimp1]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Many thanks for your encouraging and very prompt reply. I may now hope to be able to do more unfurling photos in May - onwards

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@aquachimp1 No worries! Mine haven’t started unfurling yet but I look forward to the week when they do (assuming we’re past the cold by then!). Enjoy 😃

[@aquachimp1]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden It has started. Whew!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@aquachimp1 Nice one, they're starting here too!

[@bobcharlie7982]

nothing wrong with a pair of crocks, although i dont go outside the front of the house in them, back garden only thats where iv drawn the line

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I respect where you draw the line, I’m the same with these - I’d never walk to the shops with them on! Saying that, there’ll likely to be a lot more people seeing them on here than out on the street! It’s a matter of comfort vs public decency I suppose 😂

[@bobcharlie7982]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden id rather walk outside the front in just my pants than my crocs😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@bobcharlie7982 I think both would cause alarm but the crocs would definitely get your neighbours seriously worrying about you. There’s probably something written into the local bylaws that you can legally be shot with a crossbow if you’re on the streets rocking crocs and I can’t say I disagree 😂

[@tedscott1478]

I've got a zantedeschia which I'd like to move into an area of fairly deep shade. Would it survive or do they prefer a sunny position?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Ted, I haven't tried them in deep shade personally. I guess it depends on just how deep the shade is but as long as there's moisture it's got to be worth a go! Mine are in partial shade but I do have some that very rarely see midday sun and they've sized up well too.

[@tedscott1478]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden okay, thanks👍

[@philippehoyez9398]

Why not replant this tree fern because it is all askew, half uprooted?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I actually planted it at this angle Philippe - sorry I probably didn’t explain that in this video! I like the way it leans over the pond and how it fits in with the other vertical tree ferns. Don’t worry, it’s not uprooted, it was actually grown at an angle in a pot for a couple of years so the rootball is nicely anchored into the ground. Hopefully it’s settling in well now!

[@Marc-lx1qj]

Can you recomend something hardy and "tropical" that can be in a 1m x 400 planter, wont out grow the planter, is hardy and can be left out all year?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, I’d probably go for a mixture of plants personally but I suppose 3 smaller Phormiums in a row could look striking. It all depends on the conditions and the sort of look you’re going for I guess.

[@Marc-lx1qj]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden thank you do much 👍 complete novice so just googled and they look perfect for our white planter / contemporary minimal garden.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@Marc-lx1qj No worries. They grow fairly predictably and need very little looking after but it’s worth doing a bit of research as the tenax forms in particular get massive, you really want some of the smaller varieties in that space.

[@tedscott1478]

I hope your "sum and substance" and "Empress Wu" aren't too near the pond! If they are you'll never see your pond again🤭

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

😂 They’re a good distance away, don’t worry!

[@tedscott1478]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden ok😊

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@tedscott1478 You're definitely right though, they take up some serious space!