More than 14 species of ferns grow in my backyard. I don’t know the exact number because ferns are devilishly difficult to identify down to a species level. Some of them look similar but I’m not positive that they are the same species.
Whatever their name or species, ferns are welcomed and beloved in my garden. Part of my fern admiration lies in the fact that it’s possible to eat the fiddleheads, the young curled up stage of the frond. I have been wanting to try these for years but before heading out to the back yard with my harvesting knife, I decided to do a little research. It’s a good thing I did! Imagine my disappointment when I found out that only a few species of ferns produce edible fiddleheads. I’m sure you can eat many others, I’m just not sure you would want to.
Of the ferns in my garden, only the fiddleheads of the Ostrich Fern are harvested as a spring or early summer taste treat. I do have a Ostrich Fern that I’ve been coaxing along for a couple of years, but I’m hardly going to harvest the precious new fronds just for a few moments of eating pleasure. If I were lost in the woods with nothing else to eat, I might do it, but with Baskin Robins around the corner, I’ll leave my Ostrich Ferns to grow another year.
Whether I can eat them or not, I love the number and variety of ferns that grow in and amongst the astilbe, hostas, lenten rose and elephant ears of my garden. Nestled under hydrangeas and azaleas, these glorious greens bring cool delight to my shady garden. My favorite garden ferns include: Holly, Autumn, Japanese Painted, Maidenhair, Hay scented, New York, Southern Shield, Ostrich, Royal, Korean, Spleenwort and Christmas.
Happy Summer!
Laura