Subtropical (For a WI March!)

Nice fall image (2009) above shared by Dr. Mike who could certainly have a career in the field of professional photography as well. The leaves are from the Japanese maple (Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood') to the upper left. Definitely a magical shot with the fog contributing as well. Sunny day here today with snow melting quickly. Looks like it will be in the 40s this weekend but we know we're not done with winter weather. Small crew here today with Larry working on equipment and Dr. Gredler continuing to paint our culvert planters. Maury helped Doc with a bit of the painting and we had Bill here continuing to haul debris from the garden. Little Jerry came in to work on a side project and we saw Vern, Big John, Dick H., Urban, Rose, Kay F. and Rod P. over here as well. I finished my presentation on Ferns and Mosses for the Portage County Master Gardener program this Saturday (Amherst, WI) and always look forward to heading up to that area. I had about 100 people at my perennial talk last night at Olbrich (Madison) and saw many friends and acquaintances. The rest of the week will be a flurry of ordering in preparation for the spring rush. Another of Dr. Mike's photos below. This is probably my favorite picture of the arched bridge thus far. Very nice. When I do my fern talks, I'm frequently asked about my favorite ferns. That is certainly a tough one considering there are so many to choose from and availability continues to increase. My recommendations are more subjective than anything else as I think all ferns have beauty and shouldn't be used as a "textural afterthought". Be wary of those that are aggressive though! The fine texture and subtle coloration of ferns can be used to great effect but understand that your success with ferns is directly related to how well you can replicate the native environment of the fern you are considering. Do research on how to adequately prepare for your fern as it is so much easier to be proactive with your prepartions as opposed to reactive with your reparations!!! I can't say enough about Japanese painted ferns (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum). Known for a silvery appearance and extreme durability, these ferns are great as specimens or in groupings. There are many varieties out now that look similar to me and coloration may vary from year to year. Introductions are based on varying spring color (more purple or more silver) as well as different pinnae characteristics (crested, twisted, etc.) I like 'Silver Falls' for superior silver coloration thru summer, 'Pewter Lace' for a deep maroon spring color, 'Applecourt' for crested pinnae and I'm very excited about the lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) and Japanese painted fern hybrids ('Ghost', 'Ocean's Fury', 'Branford Beauty' and 'Branford Rambler'). These hybrids, while having subtley different characteristics, combine the color of the painted fern parent with the vigor and height of the lady fern parent. See below for the straight species (along the wall) then the sequence of 'Silver Falls', 'Pewter Lace', 'Applecourt' and the hybrid fern 'Ghost' at the bottom.)