Sword Ferns: Feedback please for winter -> spring

Hello...

Early 2015, I planted a number of sword ferns in a northern-exposure, almost entirely shaded, west coast themed garden in my front yard.

Glad to say 99% success with ferns, hostas, dwarf pines, yews, dogwoods, and others!

I TLC'd everything during growing season including using stored rain water and soap-free grey water during drought period in Vancouver area during July/August. So everything made it to autumn seemingly incident-free. In fact, most thrived.

Any suggestions to keep my Sword Ferns in particular healthy through winter, especially if freezing weather continues or worsens? Should I water? Fertilize? Protect?

Below are a couple of pics that typify the condition of my ferns, which appear to be poised for new fronds in the growing season. However, given that I have taken such care, I don't want to blow it over winter.

Thanks!

VanR

 

At this point you shouldn't have to do anything. Are they mulched?

 

Thanks for the reply Ron.

No, not mulched.... other than them having been planted in pretty mulchy material... lots of organic matter, bark, twigs.

 

That said though, I did mulch over my Hostas to prevent freezing of the bulb after cut all growth down.

So you saying mulch around the base of the fern? Is this to prevent freezing of the root system?

 

Mulching is just good general practice. Most hostas you will find in commerce are hardy to much lower temperatures than you will have there.

 

Thanks again.

 

Sword ferns, Polystichum munitum, are very hardy on the west coast. Advice I learned many years ago is to leave the old fronds to serve as mulch around the plants over winter and cut them off (if you must) before the new fronds begin to unfurl in the spring. Keep in mind that where these ferns grow naturally, the accumulation of old fronds year after year provides them the optimum growing medium. Personally, I do cut off the old fronds in March so that the uncurling croziers are easier to see and admire. Old fronds are a valuable addition to the compost; cut them up first if you have time.