I’ve planted several dozen varieties of ferns in shaded areas of the garden. I mistakenly presumed I could recall and identify each, but after quickly failing I backtracked to tag as many as possible. A few did not survive, not due to cold, but possibly failure to adapt to heat and humidity (overly warm nighttime temperatures), or that the particular fern required more or less sunlight exposure or soil moisture.

Despite my collecting efforts (almost all purchases), the most prominent and prolific fern in the garden is the Sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis, below). All are volunteers. I haven’t planted one, though I’ve removed a bunch. Simply, it likes it here, with an annual cover of fallen leaves left in place to decay over much of the garden.

Sensitive fern is aptly named for its sensitivity to cold temperatures, but also, I think, to heat and dry soils. Sporelings appear in many areas that are inappropriately sunny for their growth, and rather than dealing with brown-tipped fronds through summer, I’ll often pull them. The removal is not difficult, and there are many areas where the fern is welcomed.

The somewhat aggressive Robb’s spurge (Euphorbia robbiae, above) occupied a significant area of the side garden until recent years. Its spread posed no problems to neighbors, and while it could be easily controlled, I encouraged it. But, now the spurge is on its way out. Scattered patches remain, but it must have become too shaded, or too something for it to thrive.

My part in this is to observe, to adapt by thinning the canopy if that is clearly the reason, or to plant something else if I’m uncertain. I’ll plant something else in late summer when temperatures begin to cool, though if the recent pattern of regular heavy rainfall continues I’m likely to sneak plants in a bit sooner.