Plant ID and Ecology: Ferns

Who amongst us hasn’t been stopped by the fiddlehead fern’s spring display? As they unfurl, what begins as a tightly wound bud becomes a unique showcase, from the short to the very tall, pointy, broad, fuzzy, and in every color of green to auburn and purple. Whether you’re an experienced fern gardener or you’re interested in getting better acquainted, join horticulturist and Fernwood Nursery owner, Rick Sawyer, out in the Gardens to learn more about these staple Maine beauties. Ferns are truly an essential plant in any New England garden, so if you don’t already have a minimum of five different ferns, then it’s time to join us and decide what new acquisitions to make.

Please note this class requires participants to show proof of having received all eligible Covid-19 vaccinations, as recommended for their age by the CDC, in order to participate. Because of the dynamic nature of this situation, we ask that you agree to abide by potential future changes in CMBG’s Covid-19 policy designed to address evolving public health recommendations.

Rick and Denise Sawyer are owners of Fernwood Nursery, coined “Maine’s shadiest nursery.” Rick has been growing native and non-native plants for decades, particularly specializing in shade perennials such as hostas, ferns, and woodland rarities. While propagating plants is now second nature to Rick, he, like all passionate horticulturists, is always learning through research, trials, errors, and successes. Living on a rural homestead in Montville, Maine, where the nursery is the front yard, Rick cultivates plant varieties and propagates many generations of the plants right from the display gardens onsite.