Cystopteris bulbifera - BULBLET FERN
Fast growing native fern with long, narrow fronds. Adaptable to soil and moisture. Easily "seeds" around with small bulblets that form on the leaves.
The Bulblet Fern boasts incredibly delicate, gorgeous, bright green compound leaves that grow along red/maroon stems, are widest at the base, and narrow towards the tip. It's named for its unique feature: the bulbs that form on the underside of the leaflets. Each of these may drop and form a new plant - this fern also disperses spores in mid-summer, so it may spread quite prolifically, creating a beautiful, lacy ground cover. It is tolerant of deep shade, and will become dormant over the winter. Perfect for border, cottage, and woodland gardens, as well as along ponds and streams.
Blooming Time: N/A, reproduces via spores in June - September
Size: 1-2' tall x 1-2' wide
USDA Zones: 3 to 9
Culture: full to partial shade, well-drained or rocky soil, loam, peat, organic material
Moisture Needs: average to wet, consistent moisture
Origin: native to UT, AZ, NM, TX, OK, NE, SD, as well as much of the eastern halves of the US and Canada - see BONAP distribution map (via MinnesotaWildflowers.info). Natural environments include shaded slopes and banks, cliffs, bluffs, talus slopes, wetlands and swamps
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes / yes
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: no / no
Attracts Hummingbirds: no
Pot Size: square 3.5" x 5" deep pot
Plant Combinations: can be combined with any half shade or shade tolerant plant. The best combos are with bold structures (bigger leaves) - for example Actaea (Cimicifuga), Alchemilla, Anemone japonica, Bergenia, Brunnera, Digitalis, Epimedium, hardy Geranium, Hosta, Primula, Polygonatum, Salvia koyame, and grasses like Carex (both narrow and wide- leaved), Deschamspia, or Hakonechloa.
Picture copyright : US Perennials
Cystopteris bulbifera - BULBLET FERN
Fast growing native fern with long, narrow fronds. Adaptable to soil and moisture. Easily "seeds" around with small bulblets that form on the leaves.
The Bulblet Fern boasts incredibly delicate, gorgeous, bright green compound leaves that grow along red/maroon stems, are widest at the base, and narrow towards the tip. It's named for its unique feature: the bulbs that form on the underside of the leaflets. Each of these may drop and form a new plant - this fern also disperses spores in mid-summer, so it may spread quite prolifically, creating a beautiful, lacy ground cover. It is tolerant of deep shade, and will become dormant over the winter. Perfect for border, cottage, and woodland gardens, as well as along ponds and streams.
Blooming Time: N/A, reproduces via spores in June - September
Size: 1-2' tall x 1-2' wide
USDA Zones: 3 to 9
Culture: full to partial shade, well-drained or rocky soil, loam, peat, organic material
Moisture Needs: average to wet, consistent moisture
Origin: native to UT, AZ, NM, TX, OK, NE, SD, as well as much of the eastern halves of the US and Canada - see BONAP distribution map (via MinnesotaWildflowers.info). Natural environments include shaded slopes and banks, cliffs, bluffs, talus slopes, wetlands and swamps
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes / yes
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: no / no
Attracts Hummingbirds: no
Pot Size: square 3.5" x 5" deep pot
Plant Combinations: can be combined with any half shade or shade tolerant plant. The best combos are with bold structures (bigger leaves) - for example Actaea (Cimicifuga), Alchemilla, Anemone japonica, Bergenia, Brunnera, Digitalis, Epimedium, hardy Geranium, Hosta, Primula, Polygonatum, Salvia koyame, and grasses like Carex (both narrow and wide- leaved), Deschamspia, or Hakonechloa.
Picture copyright : US Perennials