Asparagus Fern (Lace Fern)
Asparagus setaceus (formerly Asparagus plumosus).
LILIACEAE.
Planting and Growing Asparagus Fern
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow asparagus fern in the accompanying table’s tabs:
-
- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of asparagus fern
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for asparagus fern
- Season of bloom and planting time for asparagus fern
- When, how deep, and where to plant asparagus fern
- How to plant asparagus fern
- Watering, fertilizing, care and pests or diseases of asparagus fern
- Landscape and container uses of asparagus fern
- Comments about asparagus fern and its features
Growing Asparagus Fern
Slow-growing, branching, vining, evergreen perennial shrub, to 4 ft. (1.2 m) wide. Shiny, green, feathery, fernlike foliage, to 6 in. (15 cm) long, in delicate sprays on wirelike, thorny stems.
Asparagus setaceus ‘Nanus’ is a dwarf cultivar.
See also Ornamental Asparagus, Asparagus densiflorus, a semi-tropical, tuberous-rooted species; Emerald fern, Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’ and ‘Myeri’ are commonly cultivated forms.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Inconspicuous flowers; grown for lacy foliage. Forms purple, berrylike fruit.
Best Climates
Tender. Zones 7–11.
Soil Type and Fertility
Damp, well-drained humus. Fertility: Rich. 6.0–7.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring in full to filtered sun, 3 ft. (90 cm) apart, after soil warms.
Proper Care
Easy. Water when soil surface dries; water sparingly in winter. Fertilize monthly in spring; dilute liquid fertilizer to half its recommended rate. Prune sparingly. Propagate by cuttings, division, seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for hanging baskets, beds, borders, containers in shade, woodland gardens. Good for cutting. Pest resistant. Fungal disease susceptible.