I had lots of Japanese Painted Ferns and many Ostrich Ferns, some of which were very well established, in my shaded back border. But I was away and/or preoccupied this summer, did not water, and the drought hit them hard. Many are no more than brown, withered fronds lying flat and blending into the soil -- no greenery at all. I am dismayed as some of these ferns were gifts from my mother decades ago. (Others planted just a year of two ago.) Only a few have greenery on them. I have only recently begun watering these plants. What are the odds they will recover, and spring up next spring? I am in zone 6 in Southeastern PA.

Is there hope?
THANKS so much for any feedback.

Joan