CLEAR AWAY DEAD FERN LEAVES

MOST deciduous ferns have died down by now and look scruffy. Typical varieties include native lady fern, Athyrium filix-femina, Japanese painted fern, Athyrium nipponicum, and the stately Wallich’s fern, Dryopteris wallichiana. The dead foliage does no harm if left until spring. But if you have evergreen ferns or other plants nearby, dead fronds may spoil a winter show. Remove them, taking care not to damage dormant buds at the base of each. Evergreen ferns also benefit from having old leaves removed. Do this throughout the year.