Gardening with the RHS Dark Corners, Bright Ideas
Apr 10, 2025
Join Ben Dark, a botanist and author researching plant history, as he shares fascinating anecdotes about ancient ferns. Horticulturist Alessandra Sana reveals her creative strategies for transforming shady garden corners into lush retreats. Meanwhile, John Sonnier, Head Gardener at the British Embassy in D.C., discusses his sustainable gardening practices that earned him the prestigious Elizabeth Medal of Honour. This insightful conversation blends plant history, hands-on gardening tips, and inspiration for creating vibrant green spaces.
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Ben Dark's Tree Fern Experience
- Ben Dark shared how unwrapping tree ferns each spring was nerve-wracking, worrying if they survived the winter.
- He learned ferns are resilient but also fragile in some conditions, influencing his appreciation for them.
Ferns' Resilience and Colonizing Power
- Ferns survived intense radiation in Puerto Rican rainforests and dominated post-disaster landscapes.
- Their spores' lightness and independence from female plant parts enable rapid colonization of devastated environments.
Ferns' Vulnerability to Climate Change
- Ferns require fresh water for reproduction as their sperm must swim to fertilize eggs.
- Changing climate patterns and drought threaten fern species' survival despite their overall resilience.