Growing and knowing Myriopteris and other dryland ferns (even in humid climates!) with Patrick McMillan

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For many of us, even the word fern often conjures images of moist rainforests clad in a blanket of swordfern or dripping rocks adorned with maidenhair. Most of us don’t think of the driest and seemingly most inhospitable habitats as places where ferns thrive. In fact, the desert regions of the southwestern United States and even the driest ledges far to the north and east are places that ferns have found a niche. Ferns are uniquely adapted to growing in seasonally dry places because they can persist as true xerophytes—losing most of their water, curling their fronds and waiting for the rains to resume metabolic activity and growth. Some of the most remarkable and beautiful ferns are found in these dry habitats and have tempted many of us to try to accommodate them in our own landscapes (even here in the rainy Pacific Northwest)

Join Dr. McMillan as he explains the biology and ecology of these amazing ferns and how he has successfully grown them in the humid Southeast as well as the Pacific Northwest. They are challenging, but once you know the secrets to keeping them happy you too can boast of having a collection of these intriguing plants. Patrick has enjoyed a lifelong fascination with knowing and growing ferns. He received his BS in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his PhD from Clemson University. He has worked as a professional naturalist, ecologist and horticulturalist for over 30 years. He was previously employed for 20 years at Clemson University where he was the Hilliard Professor of Environmental Sustainability, the director of the South Carolina Botanical Garden, and the host, writer, and producer of the Emmy-award winning television program “Expeditions with Patrick McMillan,” distributed by American Public Television. He has served as the director of Heronswood Garden in Kingston, Washington since October of 2020

Please note this meeting starts at the earlier time of 5pm