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Is this fern done for?

velvet_rose1980velvet_rose1980 Posts: 26
in Plants
I've had this fern for a couple of years in a very shady spot, but can't remember it ever looking this ragged... 

Is it dying or undergoing some kind of natural shedding process? I can't see any new growth...? 🤔

Thanks very much. ☺️ 

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited March 2021
    Those fronds are last year's and are dying off ... you might not have noticed them looking as brown in other winters as we've had a couple of mild wones  but this last winter has been more 'normal' brrrr! ... the new 'croziers' (named after a Bishop's crook because of their shape) are forming in the centre of the base ... I can see them because I know what to look for ... sort of 'knobs' .... so  now that the worst weather is over you can carefully snip off the old fronds near to the bottom and enjoy watching the new glistening bronzey  foliage unfurl as the spring weather warms up.  

    I must get around to cutting mine off this week.  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • velvet_rose1980velvet_rose1980 Posts: 26
    Ah, that's fab. Thanks so much for the information. ☺️ I have not paid it all that much attention so far, so I am unfamiliar with its cycles and what to look for! But now I will. ☺️ 
  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,872
    Mine look exactly the same but as Dove says the new foliage is waiting to come up from the centre.  I have learnt from past years. Once the dead fronds are cut away it's fascinating to watch the new ones coming through when the weather warms up.  :)  I even think they improve each year. 
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