January 08, 2011

Fertile fronds


I braved the elements today and snapped a few shots of Fiddlehead Fern fertile fronds. (That’s a tongue-twister!)

They look prehistoric, and I guess they are. Various sources list Fiddleheads as flourishing on earth 300 million years ago.

The fertile fronds look a little messy, but they’re interesting. So I leave them standing through the winter and usually clip them in the spring. They hold spores, which can be propagated for new plants. But I have enough ferns and don’t want them to spread, so I compost them in the woods.


Here are two excellent, very detailed articles about Fiddlehead Ferns:

13 comments:

  1. Those are pretty weird looking but that's what makes them so cool! Do you ever eat the new shoots?

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  2. Hi Beth, I also grow fiddlehead ferns and I have some fertile fronds that provide winter interest in the garden. Thank you for the two links you've provided. Like you, I have no intention of propagating from spores but the informations and pictures are very interesting. Cool post!

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  3. Hi Beth! I see why you leave these fronds to stand in your garden! I love ferns and have several types of them. Our native fern is a Sword fern. It is still green! Thank you for your article and the links! have a healthy and happy 2011!

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  4. @TS: I haven't tried the new shoots. I'm not brave enough. Maybe I will one of these years.
    @Lily: Thanks! I'd love to see pictures of the Fiddleheads from your garden this spring! Are you getting anxious like I am?
    @Tatyana: I'll have to do some research on the Sword Fern. Happy New Year to you, too!

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  5. Nice shot. Never see this fern freezed in cold whether. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. I've always wanted to get edible ferns going in my garden so that I could eat the fiddleheads in the spring. The years I attempted it were pretty drought-heavy so I didn't have much success. Maybe I'll try again this year!

    I love the frond photos, they look neat in the winter!

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  7. Those look really cool in the winter landscape. I have a few ferns that came with the house (when I bought it). I have no idea of their name but they don't stand erect like your fiddleheads. At least they are hardy and come back every spring, right?!

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  8. So glad I found your blog. Great winter architecture for this tongue twisting fern.
    Laura

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  9. @Orchid: Thanks!
    @Eliza: I'm hesitant to try them, even though people say you can. Maybe this will be the year.
    @Kathleen: Yes, all ferns are enjoyable! The Fiddleheads were here when I moved in, too.
    @Laura: Thanks! It's fun to compare gardening notes with you.

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  10. Oh for certain they are a focal point. Never a boring moment in the garden. Your photography is excellent too. Very nice website. I faved you on FB.

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  11. Thanks, Anna! I'd love to get involved in your new project. Just let me know how I can help.

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  12. Have these in my garden...love them. You provided some great information in your links. So cool that they are prehistoric!

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  13. Meredehuit: Thanks! Have you tasted the Fiddleheads?

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