Weve got the top care tips straight from the garden pros.
The first item on the list?Fernsand lots of them.
While colorful blooms are acontainer gardenfavorite to boost curb appeal, they’re often more susceptible to wilting.
Credit:PHOTO: ROBBIE CAPONETTO; STYLING: CARMEN JOHNSTON
Thesetough, but prettyplants can handle the intense heat and full sun.
When it comes to the best fern variety for porches, it’s hard to go wrong.
Choose The Right Variety
The first step in porch-fern success is selectingthe right species for the surroundings.
Copper and green are a “match made in heaven,” says Carmen Johnson of this porch-worthy pairing.Credit:ROBBIE CAPONETTO; STYLING: CARMEN JOHNSTON
The trick is to find the ideal light exposure conditions for your particular variety.
Clark suggests observing the area where your fern will live prior to purchasing.
It’s the secret to success from the get-go.
Credit:ROBBIE CAPONETTO; STYLING: CARMEN JOHNSTON
“If repotting, the pot should have drainage holes and a quality potting mix,” Jones says.
It’s also a great way to make acurb appeal-boosting statement.
I think scale is important.
“You have to mimic or create similar conditions to their natural environment,” says Clark.
“In the ground they have ground moisture so they can reach and find water when they need it.
In pots they’re more likely to get dried out at a faster rate.”
According to Clark, you should also be fertilizing the plant regularly.
During extra warm weather, Johnston recommends feeding your fronds every four to six weeks.
She notes this might be a bit of an aggressive feeding strategy, but yields good results.
It ensures container success from the summer all the way until the first frost.
