Question
QUESTION: Hi Raf,
I want to turn a shady area in zone 5 into a natural woodland space. I love ferns, hosta and caladiums just to name a few.
The soil is sandy and is bordered by Red Pines. I have been thinking of making a bog garden here. I have one in a sunny area near my pond. My question is, would this be the best idea for the plants I mentioned, especially the ferns?
Any suggestions would be very appreciated.
Thank you,
Fran

ANSWER: Hi Fran,

Thank you for your e-mail. A bog garden is an ideal way to enjoy water and plants in the best natural way. Your question in not that easy to give a complete secure answer.
However Internet provides us with some ideas like http://www.pitcherplant.com/bog_making.html .
I think it is perfectly possible if you note that ferns are in need of a forest ground base.
If you use ferns and provide a good amount of forest ground it would be no problem.
Also make sure the water will not touch the ferns as it will/can be harmful to the ferns as they do not like streaming water at there feet.
Depending on the type of fern the sun would be of a lesser problem.
Hosta likes also some wet grounds, however also not streaming water or wet feet.
So it is surely possible, but look out where to place them.
A basic drawing with which plant to put where would ensure a look over to ensure every plant is where it needs to be.
Please do not hesitate to contact us again, even with some update!

Kind regards and good luck!
Raf

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again,
The ferns I have purchased are, Tennessee Ostrich, Christmas and Japanese. The area does get some morning sun. Would I be better off to plant around the pine trees and just mist the area on occasion rather than do the bog garden. My concern is a bog may make things too wet.
I guess I just assumed a very wet area would be best for these plants now I see, maybe not. Thanks so much Raf, Fran

Answer
Hi Fran,

Thank you for the reply.
About ferns there are a broad assortment available.
Most fern like some kind of shade or just a bit of sun.
Also most ferns like moistured ground, however not wet.
The Tennessee Ostrich, did you know That the young frond sprouts, while still curled, are edible as a vegetable?
It likes shade and moistured ground. Not full water but on the side where not a lot of water effectively flows it can do fine.
Christmas Anthyrium ferns likes partial shades and slightly moistured ground, it may even be some small time dry. So this one is better to but just beside the bog garden.

Good luck!

regards,
Raf