Fernery Garden
Take a walk through the Arboretum today, and you’ll see our newest addition: the newly planted Fernery, a long-anticipated addition to our palm garden made possible from a grant awarded by Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust.
Take a walk through the Arboretum today, and you’ll see our newest addition: the newly planted Fernery, a long-anticipated addition to our palm garden made possible from a grant awarded by Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust. With the help of Andrew Turner with Serenoa Landscape Design and Tres Fromme with 3. Fromme Design, we have spent months carefully planning, designing and finally planting the beautiful variety of ferns and other garden-worthy plants you’ll see. With 825 plants sourced and donated via Earth Works, the Fernery is a great example of plants that thrive in the shade, such as Birds of Paradise, Rhododendrons, a selection of complimentary palms, and, of course, beautiful ferns.
Between the array of plants and the addition of a dry creek bed, the Fernery is just as visually appealing as it is efficient, and a quick glance won’t do it justice; as you see it, pay attention to the compositions of texture in interwoven masses, described by designer Tres Fromme as purposeful placement. Fromme stated the plants “…were intended to showcase the uniqueness of ferns in combination with other garden worthy plants.” These plants work together to expand richness and vibrancy throughout the Arboretum, providing an even more mesmeric experience to visitors in hopes they, too, can draw inspiration from the project.
The collaborative work on the Fernery is a great example of our partnerships with other companies such as Earth Works, Liberty Landscape Supply, Serenoa Landscape Design and 3. Fromme Design. Terri McGregor, Jason Duffney and the rest of the team at Earth Works spoke of the project fondly, stating, “We at Earth Works are proud and happy to partner with the Jacksonville Arboretum whenever possible. What a treasure for our city!”
Andy Turner with Serenoa Landscape Design also expressed pride in the project saying, “Working with Dana and Tres Fromme to create this new Fernery garden exhibit has been a dream come true…. I find so much joy in adding to the meaningful experience that the Jacksonville Arboretum offers to the throngs of visitors that pass through its garden gates every day. As a local landscape designer and Northeast Florida Native, I am so honored to play a role in the metamorphosis of this horticultural crown jewel of our community….”
Alongside this, completion of the Fernery has been a success due to our hardworking volunteers, made possible by our former volunteer coordinator, Nik Conte, who has been a great help in organizing these volunteer partnerships. A great example is JWB Real Estate, who pledged 20 volunteers every Wednesday for four weeks.
We are grateful for our volunteer partnerships and our wonderful group of core volunteers. Without their help, the beautiful Fernery you see today would never have been possible.
Located right along Lake Loop Trail. You can’t miss it – just look for the ferns!
by Dana J. Doody, Executive Director