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E. T. Fern foliage

E. T. Fern foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Other Names:  Frog Foot Fern, Grub Fern, Crisatum Fern

Description:

A clumping fern variety producing irregular and twisting fronds of gray-green foliage with black stems and interesting, creeping rhizomes; a nice groundcover for a woodland area; great in hanging baskets or containers, for indoors or out

Ornamental Features

E. T. Fern's attractive ferny pinnately compound leaves emerge chartreuse in spring, turning grayish green in color the rest of the year on a plant with a mounded habit of growth. The black stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

Landscape Attributes

E. T. Fern is a dense herbaceous annual with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Suckering

E. T. Fern is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting
• Hanging Baskets

Planting & Growing

E. T. Fern will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 20 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. Although it's not a true annual, this fast-growing plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate if left outdoors over the winter, usually needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat.

This plant performs well in both full sun and full shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

E. T. Fern is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a canvas of foliage against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.