How to Care for Hardy Gloxinia

 

The scientific name of hardy gloxinia is Incarvillea delavayi, also known as flowering fern but is not actually a fern. The plant actually earns the nickname for its deeply divided, fern-like leaves. The hardy gloxinia plants glow with pink, trumpet-shaped flowers from spring to late summer. Growing the hardy gloxinia plants can be tricky, but the beauty of the plant actually worth the extra effort. Keep in mind that the flowering fern which is also known as hardy gloxinia fern doesn’t tolerate extreme temperatures. The plant is perennial in USDA plant hardiness zones five through seven, or possibly up to zone ten if you can protect the plant from hot afternoon sunlight. In cooler climates you can grow the hardy gloxinia fern as an annual. Continue reading to learn how to care for hardy gloxinia.  

 

How to Care for Hardy Gloxinia

Make sure you plant the hardy gloxinia fern in rich, well-drained soil, but you need to first work the soil to a depth of at least eight inches in other to accommodate the long taproot. If your soil is actually poor you can dig in a generous amount of manure or compost before planting.

Furthermore, growing the hardy gloxinia fern can be done by seed, or by planting the small starter plants from a greenhouse or nursery. The plants actually spread, so you need to allow twenty-four inches between each plant. The flowering fern plants thrive in full sunlight, however in hot climates, locate the hardy gloxinia fern in afternoon shade. A well-drained soil is a must for growing hardy gloxinia fern. If your soil is actually soggy you can plant the hardy gloxinia ferns in containers or raised beds. Water the flowering fern plants regularly to keep the soil lightly moist, but never soggy. Water the hardy gloxinia ferns sparingly during the winter.

If you actually live in a cool climate you can grow the flowering fern plants in a pot and bring it indoors during the winter months. You can apply a generous layer of mulch to the outdoor-grown flowering fern plants in fall, most especially if the climate is chilly. Make sure you remove the mulch after frost danger passes in spring. The flowering fern plants tend to be pest-free, with the exception of slugs and snails. Make sure you watch for signs of the slimy pests and treat accordingly. You can deadhead hardy gloxinia ferns regularly to prolong the blooming season. Also, regular deadheading will prevent rampant self-seeding. Divide hardy gloxinia ferns in spring whenever the plant looks messy or overgrown.