Fall in the Fern Fairway

22.02.2024 - 09:59 / finegardening.com / GPOD Contributor

Cherry Ong’s beautiful little side garden that she calls the Fern Fairway is always a little jewel box of perfect plants and wonderful combinations. Recently (The Fern Fairway in Summer) she shared how the space looked last summer, and today we’re revisiting with photos taken last September and October as the Fern Fairway entered autumn.

To make the most of this narrow space, Cherry has containers mounted on the wall. The plants visible here include Fuchsia ‘Gartenmeister Bonstedt’ (Zones 10–11 or as an annual), ‘Rita’s Gold’ Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Rita’s Gold’, Zones 10–11 or as an annual), sunset fern (Dryopteris lepidopoda, Zones 6–9), Polemonium pulcherricum ‘Golden Feathers’ (Zones 5–9), and Dryopteris dilatata ‘Crispa Congesta’ (Zones 5–9).

Fuchsia ‘Pink Marshmallow’ (Zones 10–11 or as an annual) graced the path and mostly lasted till early December.

Athyrium filix femina ‘Dre’s Dagger’ (Zones 4–8) thrives and continues to wow!

Small pots show off individual foliage plants to perfection.

Athyrium ‘Godzilla’ (Zones 5–9) is maturing slowly and steadily. For those looking for full-shade perennials, I am happy to report that Leucothoe fontesiana ‘Rainbow’ (Zones 5–8) flourishes.

This Adiantum pedatum (Zones 3–8) is a spectacular division from the garden.

I couldn’t resist decorating, so I fashioned a swag out of dried flowers from the garden—mine and Sylvia’s.

Begonia chloroneura (Zones 10–11 or as a houseplant) is enjoying its summer vacation outdoors.

A beat-up wooden arch that I snagged for free from Craiglist frames Tricyrtis hirta (Zones 4–8), primrose, and some houseplants.

Hawkshead fuchsia is one of my favorite fuchsias, given its dainty ballerina-like white flowers. It truly shines in the