8. Licorice Fern

 The predominant colour of Leaning Oaks during the winter months is green.  The carpet of mosses that cover the rock outcrops and tree trunks green up, the winter annuals sprout and Licorice Fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza) looks its best with the new foliage it started to produce in the fall.  Most years the new growth starts with the first heavy rainfall in August or September.  Here the species grows best on rock outcrops or Big-leaf Maple trunks up above the reach of Black-tailed Deer.  The individuals that are below the browse line are small and stunted and never seem to be able to develop to their full potential.  For tips on growing this species in a winter hanging basket (that you only have to plant once every twenty years or so) click on the button.

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Fern Hanging Basket for Winter