Garden Photo of the Day

Fall in the Fern Fairway

Looking back at the end of the growing season

swag of dried flowers hanging over foliage plants

Cherry Ong’s beautiful little side garden that she calls the Fern Fairway is always a little jewel box of perfect plants and wonderful combinations. Recently (The Fern Fairway in Summer) she shared how the space looked last summer, and today we’re revisiting with photos taken last September and October as the Fern Fairway entered autumn.

planted container mounted to wooden fenceTo make the most of this narrow space, Cherry has containers mounted on the wall. The plants visible here include Fuchsia ‘Gartenmeister Bonstedt’ (Zones 10–11 or as an annual), ‘Rita’s Gold’ Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Rita’s Gold’, Zones 10–11 or as an annual), sunset fern (Dryopteris lepidopoda, Zones 6–9), Polemonium pulcherricum ‘Golden Feathers’ (Zones 5–9), and Dryopteris dilatata ‘Crispa Congesta’ (Zones 5–9).

Fuchsia with light pink flowers in a small mounted potFuchsia ‘Pink Marshmallow’ (Zones 10–11 or as an annual) graced the path and mostly lasted till early December.

container planting of foliage plant beneath mounted containerAthyrium filix femina ‘Dre’s Dagger’ (Zones 4–8) thrives and continues to wow!

table holding small potted plantsSmall pots show off individual foliage plants to perfection.

various foliage plants growing along fenceAthyrium ‘Godzilla’ (Zones 5–9) is maturing slowly and steadily. For those looking for full-shade perennials, I am happy to report that Leucothoe fontesiana ‘Rainbow’ (Zones 5–8) flourishes.

swag of dried flowers hanging over foliage plantsThis Adiantum pedatum (Zones 3–8) is a spectacular division from the garden.

close up of dried flower swagI couldn’t resist decorating, so I fashioned a swag out of dried flowers from the garden—mine and Sylvia’s.

close up of Begonia chloroneura foliageBegonia chloroneura (Zones 10–11 or as a houseplant) is enjoying its summer vacation outdoors.

colorful foliage plants in containers in front of a wooden archA beat-up wooden arch that I snagged for free from Craiglist frames Tricyrtis hirta (Zones 4–8), primrose, and some houseplants.

close up of Hawkshead fuchsia in a containerHawkshead fuchsia is one of my favorite fuchsias, given its dainty ballerina-like white flowers. It truly shines in the shade! Here it is in November.

 

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Comments

  1. User avater
    musabasjoosue 02/22/2024

    Thanks for sharing your garden, Cherry. It's always a treat!

    1. perenniallycrazy 02/22/2024

      You’re welcome and thank you for your kind words.

  2. User avater
    simplesue 02/22/2024

    Oh I do love your Fern Fairway! Such a good use of space and just delightful!
    And wow- that's the biggest Northern maidenhair fern I've seen yet- just gorgeous!

    1. perenniallycrazy 02/22/2024

      Even better since it’s free! Thank you.

  3. [email protected] 02/23/2024

    Hurray! Another share from Cherry's garden! I must duplicate your swag! And I love the fuchsias and ferns- some of my favorites!

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