emme, you shouldn't raid a local native woodland, either. Not unless you know the property owner, that is, and have permission.

I'm guessing that lots of people buy their really cool ferns via mail order. You might have more luck with this question in the Perennial Forum.

I'm curious, though....why are you so sure that everything will fail? Is there anything we can do to improve the odds?

There just isn't that much light. It's under a deck, shaded by buildings. Not like a cave, but pretty dark, especially near the house. There are trees growing there, too. Their roots make it very hard to dig or improve the soil. I'm working on it, but it's hard going. We recently rebuilt the deck, and it now includes a light well to admit more light, but previously nothing grew there except suckers from the tree roots. Not even weeds.

What mail order places do folks like? And what ferns are least picky about soil conditions?

I posted in my local Craig's List, asking for people with property to let me dig. I offered to pay $3 - $8 dollars per plant (Western Sword Ferns) depending on size and promised to leave the property like I was never there. I had one response and dug about a dozen plants and paid $50.

Hi Emme.

To begin most hardy ferns will not grow in an area with deep shade but rather an area with bright light suites them best. If the light well you installed brings in enough light it may work. They generally require a constantly moist soil to do well and like a rich organic soil not heavy clay soils. You mention a lot of tree roots-if so you may need to add soil and be sure they are well watered as the trees will outcompete for water otherwise. If you still want to try ferns try Bigdipperfarm.com. Many varieties at reasonable prices.

Scott

If DC is for Washington DC, I live near you, and I have ferns that keep escaping from under the deck and getting mowed, as well as some that climb out of out gorge into our yard, also to get mowed. I think some are maidenhair. The others--no idea.

And some of these are in crazy deep shade.