Comments on: Foliage Combination of Fern and Ginger

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:56:56 +0000

Bob D, I only saw a few European ginger plants around in past years, and haven’t seen any locally, in Edmonton, this year. It’s too bad they are not more widely available, as they make a great looking groundcover. I have two patches, and I wish they spread faster.

By: Bob D

Bob D — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:11:55 +0000

Great combination!

I too have some European Ginger in my garden and would like to buy more. But I’ve having difficulty locating some (I’m in Toronto).

Any suggestions?

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:06:47 +0000

Helen J, the Asarum, Hosta and Dicentra combination sounds lovely. Just to the left and right of this group, I have some Brunnera macrophylla, which looks good with them too.

By: HelenJ

HelenJ — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:33:40 +0000

I have the Asarum together with Hosta and Dicentra Formosa. I like the combination of the different kind of foliages. But I hadn’t thought of the ferns. Thanks for the inspiration! =)
/Helen

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:32:56 +0000

Rebecca, it starts to get harder to find some of the less common perennials at this time of year. There’s usually a better selection in the spring, but last fall I lucked out and found some of the perennials I wanted, still in stock and on sale.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:29:12 +0000

Just wanted to add, the “Anonymous” post above was mine. I have been looking for some European ginger, but haven’t found any this year, I’ll have to start earlier next year. Some neighbours have some close by, perhaps I could ask for a small division. :)

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:50:50 +0000

Hi # 11, the European ginger is a very attractive foliage plant. The leaves are semi-evergreen in zone 3, so they provide some early green in spring before most plants are up. Because the stems are so slender on the maidenhair fern, they dance around in the wind, and add movement to the garden.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:57:13 +0000

I love the leaves of the european ginger, and will look to add it in a shady spot. The black stems on the fern are very interesting. Lovely combination.

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:33:21 +0000

Helen, I have my European ginger in two patches, one group under a maple, and one under a willow, both close to the trunks, and both seem to do fine. They get more sun in early spring, before the trees leaf out. For the rest of the season the get about an hour or two of direct sun, and a bit of dappled light.

Joy, I do give my maidenhair ferns supplemental water, plus they are around a birdbath, so I always empty the birdbath on them when I clean and refill it. The ginger looks great at the front of a shady border.

By: Joy

Joy — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:55:24 +0000

NS that is a wonderful combination ! I had that fern for one season and I must have put it in the wrong place .. too dry .. so it left home .. I would love to try again since it is such a delicate beauty.
I haven’t tried the “ginger” yet .. I think I need more space for that one !
Joy