Under a mature crab apple tree (w/ deep shade) I've begun planting
Pachysandra. If I intersperse ferns among the Pachysandra, will the
ferns survive (regrow each Spring) once the Pachysandra has spread to
cover the bed area? If not, is there something else that I can plant
that will provide a different texture/form in the Pachysandra bed?

Agave wrote:
Under a mature crab apple tree (w/ deep shade) I've begun planting
Pachysandra. If I intersperse ferns among the Pachysandra, will the
ferns survive (regrow each Spring) once the Pachysandra has spread to
cover the bed area? If not, is there something else that I can plant
that will provide a different texture/form in the Pachysandra bed?

Yes, of course. Mature ferns shoot up a couple of feet or more,
depending on species, just on the energy they stored below ground. Of
course, enough mature ferns will form a canopy and shade ground covers
to the point where they no longer grow. My ostrich ferns have decimated
the variegated vinca, the pachysandra and the lamium, though the
original few lily of the valleys have taken advantage of the situation
and are now the effective ground cover there.

On Wed, 02 Aug 2006 12:44:09 -0400, Agave wrote:

Under a mature crab apple tree (w/ deep shade) I've begun planting
Pachysandra. If I intersperse ferns among the Pachysandra, will the
ferns survive (regrow each Spring) once the Pachysandra has spread to
cover the bed area? If not, is there something else that I can plant
that will provide a different texture/form in the Pachysandra bed?


I've got lily-of-the-valley planted with pachysandra. The LOTV are
spreading much faster than the pachy. Both are about the same height,
complementary leaves.

My experience with the lily of the valley is that that will strangle out
anything else. I have spent the past two summers digging them out and
throwing them away. They are just too hard to contain. I love the flower
so I throw them over a convenient banking and if they decide to grow there
(which I have no doubt they will) I can go over there to pick them.

Agave wrote:
Under a mature crab apple tree (w/ deep shade) I've begun planting
Pachysandra. If I intersperse ferns among the Pachysandra, will the
ferns survive (regrow each Spring) once the Pachysandra has spread to
cover the bed area? If not, is there something else that I can plant
that will provide a different texture/form in the Pachysandra bed?
Thanks all. Before the heat wave here the Home Depot had lots of ferns
on sale (deep discount) for US$2.99 ea. Guessing there's still some
(most still?) there...gonna go there tomorrow to make an offer to take
all that are left for $0.50 ea.

Good deal! I might check out mine and see if there are any bargains.
Pike's Nursery has allot but only 50% off and still to much!
Elaine in Ga
Zone 7b
"Agave" wrote in message
. ..
Agave wrote:
Under a mature crab apple tree (w/ deep shade) I've begun planting
Pachysandra. If I intersperse ferns among the Pachysandra, will the
ferns survive (regrow each Spring) once the Pachysandra has spread to
cover the bed area? If not, is there something else that I can plant
that will provide a different texture/form in the Pachysandra bed?
Thanks all. Before the heat wave here the Home Depot had lots of ferns on
sale (deep discount) for US$2.99 ea. Guessing there's still some (most
still?) there...gonna go there tomorrow to make an offer to take all that
are left for $0.50 ea.