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Bald ferns

allymountain13allymountain13 Posts: 68
in Plants
3 yr old Polystichum and dryopteris. I cut off all the fronds. Only found 2 new ones and they don't seem to be growing. Dryopteris never has any dead leaves. Dryopteris never dies back in winter but never looks good. Saw Monty cut his ferns back. Have I made a big mistake?

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,740
    I haven’t cut mine back yet ... I’ll probably do it today or tomorrow. There’s plenty of time for new leaves to appear...!panic not 😊 
    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • Butterfly66Butterfly66 Posts: 783
    Some of ours are still sleeping at the moment so maybe yours are similar varieties and it’s just a bit early for them. The new ferns look like hard brown knuckles for quite a while before they begin to unfurl.
     If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”—Marcus Tullius Cicero
    East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
  • allymountain13allymountain13 Posts: 68
    Thanks Dove & Butterfly. I love my Polystichum. It's nestled in the corner of a border next to the retaining wall in deep shade and loves it there normally. 
    @Dovefromabove I know you're organic. I grew Hyssop, Borage, Feverfew seeds to squash some more insect friendly plants into my tiny garden. But I've heard Bees hate Feverfew and it can even prevent them from pollinating plants they usually love. Had intended to edge the concrete (called a patio by my landlady) about 18 inches away from my Heuchera, chive and Cinnamon Basil (all Bee crack :) Should I not bother and plant it on a bit of public scrub grass somewhere?
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,756
    We cut ours a month ago, a bit early, but we are in London, so not many hard frosts.  Lots of lovely "knuckles" showing, but no fronds yet.  
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