National Plant Network HD7244 4 in. Green Flame Fern Microsorium Plant User guide

QUICK REFERENCE PLANTING GUIDE
Thank you for your order!
LIGHT/SUN
EXPOSURE
Full to part shade.
USDA HARDINESS
8 to 10
ZONES
PLANT TYPE
Perennial.
PLANTING
DISTANCE
IN-G
GROUND
At least 24 inches apart.
CONTAINER SIZE
One plant per 12-inch or larger
container.
MATURE
HEIGHT / SPREAD
12 to 24 inches tall with a similar
spread.
BLOOM TIME
N/A.
TIME TO REACH
MATURITY
24 months.
Unique color.
FACTS OF NOTE
Deer and rabbit resistant.
Great for planting under trees.
SOIL PREPARATION
We recommend having your soil tested periodically by
your local County Extension Office (www.nifa.usda.gov/
extension or by calling 1-800-333-4636). A soil test can
determine if your soil needs any amendments to enhance
the growth and performance of your plants.
Ideal garden soil is easy to dig in and drains well while still
holding the nutrients and water vital to plant growth. To
prepare a bed for in-ground planting, spade or till the soil
to a depth of roughly 12-18 inches. Next, spread a 2-4 inch
layer of organic matter such as compost, shredded leaves
or peat moss over the soil and mix well.
'Green Flame'
FERN
PLANT WARRANTY
We warrant perennials for 1 year and
annuals for 90 days from the time of the
original shipment. If for any reason you
are dissatisfied, we will replace your plant
with a similar or comparable one, at no
charge. If your replacement is not available
or it is too late in the season to ship, it will
reship the following shipping season.
If you have any questions or concerns
about your order, please contact us at 888593-3644 or [email protected].
Caution: Do not assume any plant is safe to
eat. Only parts of plants expressly grown to
be eaten should be considered edible. As
with any product that is not food, care
should be taken to make sure that small
children and pets do not ingest any part of
the plant that is not expressly grown to be
eaten.
Unless specifically stated, this product is
intended for ornamental horticultural use
only and is not intended for consumption
or ingestion by humans or pets. Most
plants are harmless, but some contain toxic
substances which can cause adverse health
effects. Furthermore, some individuals and
some animals are sensitive or allergic to
certain plants and precautions should be
taken to limit or avoid physical contact with
particular plants. Some plants have thorns
or spines that can be painful if handled.
In case of ingestion contact a poison
control center immediately.
1-8
800-2
222-1
1222
*Image on cover is representative of the type of plant(s) in this offer and
not necessarily indicative of actual size or color for the included variety.
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS (Continued)
FERN
4. Dig a hole twice as deep and twice as wide as the plant's
Apply a 2-4 inch layer of shredded bark, compost,
Your plants have been shipped to you in pots. We urge
root ball. Partially backfill the hole with soil and place the
leaves, straw or other organic matter around your
to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, roll the
plastic bag down around each plant and place them near
a bright window or other sunny location. Keep them wellwatered in their pots until permanently planted. Once
planted, they begin setting roots and, as the weather
warms, begin showing new growth. Please plant as soon
plant into the hole. The top of the root ball should be level
with the ground surrounding the hole. Refill the hole with
5. Water thoroughly.
your plant's first year in the garden. Infrequent, long
yellow upon arrival. This is due to the stress of shipping
soakings of water that thoroughly saturate the soil
and is usually nothing to worry about. Water the plant
are more effective than frequent, light applications of
thoroughly, place it in a shady location and remove any
foliage that does not recover.
WATERING
and pull weeds, including the roots, as soon as you
growing season with a water-soluble fertilizer.
Discontinue feeding after September 1st so your
plants can harden off for winter dormancy. Resume
water.
fertilizing when new growth appears in the spring.
Due to variable geographical and environmental
Watering thoroughly in late fall will greatly enhance
conditions, a specific watering schedule is difficult to
your plant's cold tolerance once the ground has
define. However, as a rule of thumb, you should not
frozen.
allow the soil or the original root ball to completely
SHIPPED AS SHOWN
water and light. Walk around the garden periodically
Feed your plants once every 2-3 weeks during the
Adequate and consistent watering is essential during
The foliage on potted plants may appear slightly wilted or
Weeds compete with surrounding plants for food,
see them.
CONTINUING C ARE
as possible, provide reasonable care and be patient.
soil temperatures and discourage weed growth.
Keep the area around your plants free of weeds.
Check to be sure the plant is not planted too deeply. If it is,
raise the plant carefully and re-firm the soil.
plants to promote moisture retention, maintain even
Replenish the mulch as needed.
soil, firming the soil around the plant with your fingers.
WEEDING
them as soon as possible. Should planting be delayed due
FEEDING
you to remove them from the shipping box and plant
CONTINUING C ARE ( Continued)
MULCHING
OUT O F T HE B OX
Ferns will benefit from mulching for winter, especially
dry out. During the first summer, you may need to
in cold areas. The time to winterize them is in late fall.
water as often as every few days in periods of
When winterizing perennials, keep in mind that the
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
your plant needs water, dig a few inches into the soil
root system is the most vulnerable to cold damage.
Important: Thoroughly hydrate the plant by submersing
next to the plant. If the soil is dry 2-3 inches below the
Mulch heavily by mounding a 6-8 inch layer of
the root zone in a container of water for 10 minutes while
surface, it is time to water.
shredded bark, compost, leaves, straw or other
you prepare for planting.
Overwatering can be as damaging as under watering.
WINTERIZING
drought and extreme summer heat. To determine if
organic material around the base of each plant.
1. Remove and discard the clear plastic bag from around
Be sure that the area surrounding your plant has
the pot.
adequate drainage to move water away from the
brought into an unheated, protected area such as a
plant. If you choose to plant in a container, always
garage or cellar before temperatures drop below
2. After watering, remove the pot by holding the plant
select one with drainage holes to prevent your
upside down in one hand and squeezing the sides of the
plant's roots from sitting in water.
pot with the other.
the surface roots with your fingers, fork, or gardening tool
and pruning any damaged roots. This will encourage the
roots to begin growing outward into the new soil.
PRUNING
3. Prepare the root ball for planting by gently disturbing
Clip off any dead, damaged or unsightly growth as
In very cold areas, containerized plants can be
freezing. Check soil moisture every 2-3 weeks and
water as needed during winter.
needed to maintain an attractive appearance. In
In spring, remove mulch from in-ground plantings.
early spring, remove any outer leaves that have
Containerized plants should be moved back out
begun to turn brown to promote a tidy appearance
into the garden sunlight where they will begin to
and expose new growth.
repeat their yearly garden performance.