{"product_id":"blue-star-fern-phlebodium-aureum","title":"Blue Star Fern - Phlebodium aureum","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlue Star Fern (\u003cem\u003ePhlebodium aureum\u003c\/em\u003e) is a shade loving fern with upright, wavy, blue green fronds that gain more lobes as the plant matures. It reaches 60cm to 90cm tall but only 30cm to 40cm wide, so it fits tight spots, and it is equally at home in a shaded rock garden, a pot or the fork of an old tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA cool blue green leaf.\u003c\/strong\u003e The fronds are a soft blue green rather than the usual fern green, which sets it apart from every other plant in the bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLobes that deepen with age.\u003c\/strong\u003e Young fronds are simple, and mature ones become more elaborately lobed, so the plant gains character each year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSlim and upright.\u003c\/strong\u003e At around 30cm to 40cm wide it takes up little ground and suits narrow shaded borders and pots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlexible about where it grows.\u003c\/strong\u003e It will go in the ground, in a container or into a tree fork in the manner of a staghorn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow fuss.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water, a little feed, and the occasional tidy are all it asks for.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShaded borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 40cm apart in a row along a shady path or wall for a slim, upright edge of blue green fronds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContainers and indoors.\u003c\/strong\u003e It suits pots outdoors on a shaded verandah and indoors in a bright room. Rotate indoor plants every so often so growth stays even.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRock gardens and tree forks.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant it in a shady rockery, or wedge a young plant in the fork of an old tree, where the roots can grip the bark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Blue Star Fern in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e A shaded location suits it best. It thrives in the humidity of tropical and subtropical gardens and can be grown in warm temperate ones too, but it must be protected from frost, so keep it in a pot that can be moved under cover where winters bite.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use free draining soil or potting mix. Mulch after planting to retain moisture and to even out soil temperature while the young plant establishes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep it moist during dry periods. Apply a slow release fertiliser in spring and a liquid feed every four weeks in the warmer months, diluted to half the recommended strength because ferns burn easily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Trim off damaged or tired fronds as needed. Repot container plants only when they are clearly outgrowing the pot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Blue Star Fern as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 140mm pots in packs of 10, in 200mm pots in packs of 6 and as single 300mm pots. A tube arrives as a small fern with a few simple fronds. The more elaborate lobed fronds develop as it matures. Choose the larger pots if you want shape and presence in the first year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/ideal-fern-environments-in-your-garden\"\u003eFern care: light, humidity and placement\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ferns-for-shady-areas\"\u003eFerns for shady areas\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/indoor-plants\"\u003eMore indoor plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-partial-shade\"\u003ePlants for partial shade\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre the furry roots a problem?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Furry aerial roots can appear on this fern and are completely normal. Leave them be, or lightly cover them with mulch or potting mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan it live indoors?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Give it a bright position without direct sun, keep it evenly moist and rotate the pot now and then so the fronds grow evenly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it handle frost?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, protect it from frost. In cold districts grow it in a pot and move it into shelter over winter, or choose a warm, sheltered spot against a wall.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67787181850943,"sku":"PHL-AUR-tube","price":22.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67787181883711,"sku":"PHL-AUR-140MM-P10","price":246.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":67787181916479,"sku":"PHL-AUR-200MM-P6","price":283.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"300mm","offer_id":67787181949247,"sku":"PHL-AUR-300MM","price":153.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/blue-star-fern-phlebodium-aureum.jpg?v=1792150466","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/blue-star-fern-phlebodium-aureum","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}