Is there actually a fern that blooms? No, because ferns, as they are known in this country, do not bloom. Botanically, however, there is one exception, namely the plant order Schizaeales from the genus Polypodiopsida. However, if a flowering fern is generally spoken of, then gloxinia are usually meant, because these are referred to as "flowering fern" in colloquial language.
blooming fern
In addition to the linguistic designation "flowering fern" or "flower fern", there is also another risk of confusion with gloxinia, namely between outdoor gloxinia and gloxinia, which are kept as indoor plants. But here too, as with the ferns, there is no relationship. Because the plants colloquially known as (room) gloxinia belong botanically to the Gesneria family (Gesneriaceae) and outdoor gloxinia belong to the Bignoniaceae family (tropical tree family).
Incarvillea is the botanical name for the "flower fern". The genus consists of about 16 species, depending on the assignment. The homeland of the plants is Central and East Asia. Most species grow at high altitudes in Tibet or the Himalayas or in temperate regions. The best known and most widespread species is the garden or outdoor gloxinia, botanically Incarviellea delavayvi.
maintenance
Blooming fern is a plant that does not require any special care. It is important that the soil is well drained, because the flowering fern does not like waterlogging at all. The flowering fern prefers a mixture of sand and clay. The outdoor gloxinia can also cope with normal garden soil. Ideally, the pH value should be in the range from "neutral" to "slightly acidic" (pH value approx.: 5-7). In addition, the soil should be moist, because the flowering fern does not like drought.
Blooming ferns should also be watered regularly during dry periods. Be careful not to get the leaves wet. However, to protect the roots from drying out, you should cover them with a layer of mulch.
Since the flowering fern gets by with few nutrients, a single application of compost or a long-term fertilizer in spring is sufficient. However, to ensure that flowering ferns also bloom lushly, you should cut off faded flowers. In this way you prevent the flowering fern from putting most of its energy into seed formation. As winter approaches, the dried, above-ground parts of the plant are cut off.
tip: Flowering fern is an ideal plant for all hobby gardeners who do not have a lot of time for garden maintenance.
Incarvillea delavayi
hardiness
Although flowering fern is a hardy plant, it is still recommended to cover the underground bulb with a layer of mulch in winter. This not only protects the plant from the cold, but above all from moisture, which it does not like at all and, in the worst case, even causes the tuber to rot.
tub culture
For the balcony or terrace, the flowering fern can also be cultivated in a bucket. In this case, however, flowering fern needs winter protection, as the cold penetrates into the planter. It is best to cover this with fleece. Then place the plant on a wooden board or a styrofoam plate to protect against cold feet. This means that the hardy blossom fern can also spend the cold season outdoors.
Hardy species
There are about 16 species of garden or outdoor gloxinia. You can get winter-hardy types of flowering fern, for example, in specialist shops or on the Internet. However, the hardy Incarvillea delavayi is offered most frequently. You can find these and the other types of gloxinia under the names outdoor, garden, summer gloxinia, Himalayan gloxine or Chinese trumpet flower. That's why you should pay attention to the botanical name when buying the plants.
Incarvillea from A - L
Incarvillea arguta (Incarvillea diffusa)
- Location: sun to semi-shade
- Soil: moist, loamy or sandy-clayey, rich in nutrients
- Growth height: 30 to 90 centimeters
- Leaves: pinnate, deciduous
- Flowering period: July - August
- Flower: pink tubular flowers in clusters
- Winter hardiness: down to -12 °C (WHZ 8)
- Use: Rockeries, perennial borders
Incarvillea compacta
- Location: sun
- Soil: moist, loamy or sandy-clayey, rich in nutrients
- Growth height: 20 to 30 centimeters
- Leaves: pinnate, dark green, deciduous
- Flowering period: May - July
- Flowers: dark pink, funnel-shaped flowers in racemes
- Winter hardiness: down to -23 °C (WHZ 6)
- Use: Rockeries, perennial borders
Incarvillea delavayvi
- Synonyms: garden gloxinia, stalkless outdoor gloxinia, Chinese trumpet flower
- Location: sun
- Soil: moist, sandy-loamy, gritty-loamy, sandy-clayey, rich in nutrients, pH value: 8-10
- Growth height: 20 to 60 centimeters
- Leaves: pinnate, dark green, deciduous
- Flowering period: June - July
- Flower: Pink or pink, bell-shaped flowers in racemes
- Winter hardiness: down to -23 °C (WHZ 6)
- Use: Rockeries, perennial borders, solitaire
- Blossom fern varieties: "Alba" (white flowering), "Deli Rose" (magenta to pink flowering)
Incarvillea emodi
- Location: sun
- Soil: moist, loamy or sandy-clayey, rich in nutrients
- Growth height: 30 to 50 centimeters
- Leaves: pinnate, deciduous
- Flowering time: August
- Flowers: pink, funnel-shaped flowers in racemes
- Winter hardiness: down to -12 °C (WHZ 8)
- Use: Rockeries, perennial borders
Incarvillea forrestii
- Location: sun
- Soil: moist, loamy or sandy-clayey, rich in nutrients
- Growth height: 15 to 30 centimeters
- Leaves: pinnate, deciduous
- Flowering period: May - July
- Flowers: Salmon-red, bell-shaped flowers in clusters
- Winter hardiness: down to -18 °C (WHZ 7)
- Use: Rockeries, perennial borders
Incarvillea lutea
- Location: sun
- Soil: moist, loamy or sandy-clayey, rich in nutrients
- Growth height: 80 to 100 centimeters
- Leaves: pinnate, deciduous
- Flowering period: June - July
- Flowers: light yellow, bell-shaped flowers in racemes
- Winter hardiness: down to -23 °C (WHZ 6)
- Use: Rockeries, perennial borders
Incarvillea from M - Z
Incarvillea mairei
- dwarf gloxinia
- Location: sun
- Soil: moist, loamy or sandy-clayey, rich in nutrients
- Growth height: 15 to 50 centimeters
- Leaves: pinnate, 20 to 30 centimeters in size, deciduous
- Flowering period: May - August
- Flowers: pink, funnel-shaped flowers in racemes
- Winter hardiness: down to -35 °C (WHZ 4)
- Use: Rockeries, perennial borders
Incarvillea olgae
- Location: sun
- Soil: moist, loamy or sandy-clayey, rich in nutrients
- Growth height: 100 to 120 centimeters
- Leaves: pinnate, dark green, deciduous
- Flowering period: June - September
- Flowers: pink, funnel-shaped flowers in racemes
- Winter hardiness: down to -18 °C (WHZ 7)
- Use: Rockeries, perennial borders
Incarvillea sinensis
- Chinese outdoor gloxinia
- Location: sun to semi-shade
- Soil: moist, loamy or sandy-clayey, rich in nutrients
- Growth height: 60 to 80 centimeters
- Leaves: pinnate, deciduous
- Flowering period: May - September
- Flowers: light violet, bell-shaped flowers in racemes
- Winter hardiness: down to -35 °C (WHZ 4)
- Use: Rockeries, perennial borders
Incarvillea zhongdianensis
- Location: sun to semi-shade
- Soil: moist, loamy or sandy-clayey, rich in nutrients
- Growth height: 20 to 40 centimeters
- Leaves: pinnate, deciduous
- Flowering period: May - June
- Flowers: pink, funnel-shaped flowers in racemes
- Winter hardiness: down to -18 °C (WHZ 7)
- Use: Rockeries, perennial borders
