At Kilbourne Grove, there are a number of hooks attached to our porch. I love the look of hanging baskets of ferns, and think they would look amazing hanging all along it, but as we have never lived there full-time, it was not to be. Some day, when we are retired, I hope to have them. Boston ferns certainly seem to be the standard variety in North America, but here in Barbados I see hanging baskets of this fern all over.
It is called the Breadfruit fern here, as the leaf shape bears a strong resemblance to the shape of the leaf on the Breadfruit tree.
But after Googling it, I am still not able to finds out its Botanical name, perhaps one of you knows it?
They certainly are a lot tougher than the Boston, obviously able to take a much higher temperature, and some sun as well.
I actually think they are prettier then the popular Boston Fern, maybe another one to grow at home…..
I am a floral designer living in a tiny condo in downtown Toronto, Canada's largest city. But on the weekend, I am a gardener/frustrated architect trying to keep up with a 3/4 acre garden in Owen Sound, Ontario, a warm (to Canadians, Zone 5b, and a cold (to Americans, Zone 4b) garden.
Pauline Mulligan said,
January 20, 2012 @ 6:10 AM
Whatever its name, it is lovely, and such a good idea to have it in a hanging basket. Could do with that at the front of our house here where it is always difficult to find something that will last all summer.
kilbournegrove said,
January 23, 2012 @ 8:50 AM
That is what I love about them Pauline, they can certainly take some heat and abuse.
Carolyn @ Carolyns Shade Gardens said,
January 20, 2012 @ 9:25 AM
Very beautiful and very unusual compared to the ferns around here–looks staghorn-like.
kilbournegrove said,
January 23, 2012 @ 8:52 AM
It does, but the base is different then staghorn, my first thought had been holly fern.
Garden Walk Garden Talk said,
January 20, 2012 @ 11:30 AM
A very pretty leaf structure on this fern, and I like your idea to use them at your home in Canada. Ferns in our area need so much attention due to wintering them over if they are potted, but I had Japanese Painted in a pot in the garage all winter and it came back much better than those in the ground. I guess there was just enough moisture for them to survive.
kilbournegrove said,
January 23, 2012 @ 8:52 AM
Interesting about the Japanese, I have them in the ground, they are hanging on, but not bulking up like I would like.
Curbstone Valley Farm said,
January 20, 2012 @ 1:17 PM
I agree with Carolyn, it does look very staghorn-like. It’s beautiful. Is it epiphytic, or growing in soil, do you know?
kilbournegrove said,
January 23, 2012 @ 8:53 AM
It is growing in soiland moss, and they seem to plant all the way around the basket.
debsgarden said,
January 20, 2012 @ 8:16 PM
Deborah, your fern looks a lot like Phlebodium aureum, also called rabbits foot fern, which is native in Florida and southwards. I love the look of a row of ferns hung from a porch!
kilbournegrove said,
January 23, 2012 @ 8:58 AM
Deborah, I had to Google Images on the Phlebodium, and they certainly look very similar. In Canada, the rabbits foot fern is Davallia bullata, which has a much lacier frond, with little brown furry rhizomes hanging over the edge. I shall have to look for the Phelebodium when I return to Canada, it is so beautiful.
Heather @ what's blooming this week said,
January 21, 2012 @ 8:51 AM
Nice interesting texture – you’re right, they are “better” than the Boston Ferns of Ontario
kilbournegrove said,
January 23, 2012 @ 8:59 AM
They look like they take a lot of abuse, so perfect for me, lol.
Jennifer@threedogsinagarden said,
January 21, 2012 @ 11:50 AM
I have hanging baskets on the front porch every summer. I usually am lazy and get readymade grocery store baskets, but they never hold up! The afternoon sun cooks them into an ugly brown mess. This year I really need to do something better.(i.e. don’t be so lazy and do them myself!)
I like the idea of having all green baskets. These breadfruit ones are really quite nice and I bet they might do okay in the afternoon sun on my porch.
kilbournegrove said,
January 23, 2012 @ 9:00 AM
Jennifer, if they can take the heat and sun in Barbados, they certainly should be able to hold up to anything that Ontario can throw at them.
Marguerite said,
January 21, 2012 @ 5:00 PM
Those ferns are huge! *sigh* why does everything always seem bigger and greener in tropical climates. I too like the look of ferns in hanging baskets. It brings to mind thoughts of cool shaded porches on a hot afternoon with iced drinks. Perfection.
kilbournegrove said,
January 23, 2012 @ 9:01 AM
It certainly does, in the tropics everything keeps growing. Here they are always cutting back, instead of encouraging like we do.
The Sage Butterfly said,
January 22, 2012 @ 10:36 AM
I have never seen these ferns displayed in this fashion, and they are beautiful! They have a very full and lush look…stunning!
kilbournegrove said,
January 23, 2012 @ 9:01 AM
I never had either, until I moved down here.
garden muses said,
January 23, 2012 @ 8:32 AM
Wow, those ferns really fill up the basket! I noticed no brown tips so obviously they’re very happy with heat and humidity.
Thanks for your post!
kilbournegrove said,
January 23, 2012 @ 9:02 AM
Glad you enjoyed it.
Shaz said,
January 25, 2012 @ 8:43 PM
Try Microsorum scolopendria aka Warts fern, breadfruit fern, formerly of the genus Polypodium.
kilbournegrove said,
February 4, 2012 @ 5:35 AM
Thanks Shaz for the info.