Plant Sale- Sept. 8 and 11 (Wednesday and Saturday, from 10am-2pm)

Georgia Perimeter College Native Plant Botanical Garden

3251 Panthersville Rd, Decatur, GA 30034, visit their website for more details

www.gpc.edu/~decbt

Large Leaf Bamboo Fern

Last week along with two garden friends Rosemary and Anne, I visited the Georgia Perimeter College Botanical Garden and came away with a list of ferns I want to try in my own garden.  Under the guidance of George Sanko whose enthusiasm is contagious, they have amassed an impressive and diverse collection of ferns that includes both native and exotic types. And, the good news is that some of these will be available at their regular plants sales this fall on Wednesdays and Saturdays. They will also offer companion plants to grow with your ferns.  On this visit a number of ferns caught my attention including the Large Leaf Bamboo Fern, Coniogramme japonica ‘Variegata,’ Bamboo Fern, Coniogramme japonica, Dwarf Holly fern, Crytomium caryotideum, Thelypteris beddomei ‘Korean Traveler,’ which spreads by runners; Walking Maidenhair, Adiantum caudatum, Northern Maidenhair, Adiantum pedatum and Ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris. A striking combination of the Dixie Wood fern, Dryopteris x australis with the hardy Needle Palm, Rhaphidophyllum hystrix is perfect for adding drama in the shade garden.

Northern Maidenhair Fern

Needle Palm and Dixie Wood Fern

Narrow Glade Fern