This week’s bouquet came about as a result of some weeding and editing in my shade garden this weekend. Several Ostrich ferns had somehow come up in new places that were blocking access to my rain barrel and overhanging the garden path. Since it has been so dry here, I was hesitant to dig them up and move them at this time. But rain was in the forecast, so I cut them completely down and moved them. That left me with a much cleaner pathway and a lot of beautiful fronds.
A good blogger friend from years ago, Sharon, of A New England Life, mentioned to me just last week how beautiful hosta leaves are in an arrangement. As is so often the case, one thing led to another since I have lots of varieties of hostas.
I’ve been using the same polka dot vase for nearly all of my arrangements this spring. But it’s large, was perfect for the ferns, and it works so well on my screened in porch.
I don’t know any of the names of my hostas, but names never mattered to me anyways.
The lovely shades of green and textures make this a simple arrangement and yet it makes quite a statement on the porch.
Since both the hostas and the Ostrich ferns were so upright, I cut a few sprigs of Asparagus fern to trail over and soften the edges.
And the little potted button fern below, rounds out the trio of ferns, each adding interest with their own lovely personality and texture.
You can’t beat lots of green with a splash of gold, Cindy. Is asparagus fern manageable in your climate? In mine, it’s a malicious weed, spread around by the birds faster than I can pull it out by its bulbous roots but I do appreciate its pretty flowers.
Asparagus fern is an annual here used often as a “filler” in potted flowers. Nobody really hangs on to it over the winter, except maybe me. I had mine in the greenhouse the last two winters and this year I split it in two and potted it up in two large urns. But come winter, with the high electric prices, I won’t be heating my greenhouse again, so it will likely get tossed out.
Hi Cindy, your vase looks so calm, cool and collected, just beautiful. And the bed with ferns and hosta is stumming. I feel the older I get the more I’m attracted by simplicity – all the green shades and the different shapes have a very soothing quality. I’ve one garden room which is mainly green with very few flowers and it’s one of my favourite ones. I’m mad about ferns and have a small collection. A couple of years ago I met a chap who’s specialising in ferns and have bought a new plant from him each year. The intricate details are fascinating. Love, Annette
I so agree. There is something about the simplicity of greens that is very calming . And a garden combination of hostas and ferms does exactly that. And on a hot, sunny day, there is a coolness about a garden like that too.
Sometime you must show us your collection of ferns. I would love to see it!