The Unexpected Fall Ground Cover That Thrives In The Shade

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As summer comes to a close, you might be concerned about your garden or yard continuing to thrive. But it's time to recognize that the incoming autumn season is just around the corner. As the weather starts to cool down, for many of the plants in your garden it could be time to pot and bring plants indoors, particularly those that require more sunlight and warmth. However, there are plenty of plants you can incorporate in your garden that provide gorgeous fall blooms, so consider adding some additional plants that work to cover where you're pulling up your summer plants. We suggest an unexpected fall ground cover plant that thrives in shade and will make a beautiful and appealing part of your garden: the autumn fern.

The autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) is an evergreen reaching about 2 feet in height and approximately 3 feet in width. It doesn't contain any flowers, but in the fall, new fronds transition from a bold green to an orange-red color, providing a lovely contrast. It fares well in the shade and works as an excellent ground cover to replace the plants you bring indoors or provide an accent around your existing plants, keeping your garden aesthetically pleasing until winter.

The autumn fern is an excellent plant for a beginner gardener since it's easy to care for and relatively low-maintenance. Even though this evergreen fern offers beautiful foliage year round, you should know the best time to plant fall flowers and plants. The autumn fern should be planted in the fall rather than during summer. The plant also benefits from a rich fertilizer or organic matter in the soil in order to thrive. You might consider mulching to keep weeds out, and you can add a liquid fertilizer to the soil to help it stay healthy, such as this TPS NUTRIENTS Fern Fertilizer.  The autumn fern prefers higher humidity levels even with less sun, therefore, you must water your fern regularly to prevent the tips from drying out and turning brown.

Aside from knowing the best time to plant, there are plenty of other garden mistakes you can avoid when using ferns as ground cover, so be sure to familiarize yourself with your garden. One mistake can include not knowing where to plant, and placing your autumn fern in a place that gets too much sunlight. It thrives in areas away from sunlight, so you must plant it in shadier spots. Wherever you have more shade and areas that are in need of ground cover in your yard or garden, you should have no trouble planting and enjoying the beautiful autumn fern.