How to Landscape With Azaleas & Mother Ferns

Hardiness Zones

• Azaleas typically thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9, although some species are hardier to colder climates and some will do well in warmer climates. In general, azaleas prefer mild climates with humidity. Mother ferns (Asplenium bulbiferum), on the other hand, are much more tropical. They prefer USDA zones 9 through 11. Because there is only a slight overlap in hardiness zones, be sure to choose azaleas that can handle the warmer temperatures of USDA zones 9 or 10.

Their Looks

• Azaleas are known for their glossy green foliage and big, brightly colored blooms that include various shades of white, yellow, orange, pink, purple, red and more. Not all are equal, however. "Little John" (Azalea "Little John"), hardy in USDA zones 8 through 9, rarely produces its burgundy blooms, but instead offers deep, reddish-purple foliage year-round. The flowers of azalea are double or single, but all add a delicate touch of color to your garden. Mother ferns, on the other hand, are tall ferns that offer bright green, textured foliage. Because of their vastly different appearances, they can complement each other in many ways. The textured fronds of mother ferns can be an ideal backdrop for the delicate flowers of most azaleas; the texture can also complement the azaleas when planted in an overlapping pattern.

Exposure Requirements

• Although azaleas are thought of as shade lovers, they can't handle full shade. Filtered or dappled sunlight or a location that gets morning sun is much better for these colorful rhododendrons and will increase the blooms on your plant. Mother ferns prefer more deeply shaded areas, although they can handle a little filtered sunlight or early morning sun. If you have a filtered shade garden, both will coexist peacefully. If you have a shade garden that borders a sunnier location, place the 4-foot tall mother ferns in the shadier regions of your shade garden and the azaleas toward the sunnier edges.

Design Basics

• Shade accentuates white, dark and cool colors, but can drown out warmer colors such as oranges and reds. For azaleas, this may limit your selection to purple- and white-flowered varieties, unless you plan to put them in a partly sunny location or in bright shade. "Girard's Fuchsia" azalea (Azalea x "Girard's Fuchsia"), hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9, will shine in darker gardens; "Fragrant Star" (Azalea x "Fragrant Star"), hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, is an azalea with deeply fragrant, small, snow-white flowers. The fresh green fronds of mother fern will add a touch of brightness to even the deepest of shade, but will shine in a bright shade garden.