{"title":"Asparagus","description":"\u003cp\u003eOutside of the edible \u003cem\u003eAsparagus officinalis\u003c\/em\u003e, the genus Asparagus has been largely relegated to the role of tropical houseplant or bouquet filler (Asparagus fern: Asparagus sprengeri \u0026amp; A. setaceous; Foxtail Fern: A. densiflorus). This is a sad thing because other species of asparagus ferns make wonderful sun-loving \u003cstrong\u003egarden plants\u003c\/strong\u003e with \u003cstrong\u003efrilly foliage\u003c\/strong\u003e. We grow many wonderful asparagus ferns from China, Korea, and Africa in our garden that have proven to be reliable sun garden perennials. We are continuing to experiment hoping to find even more. Any of these temperate zone asparagus ferns would also make nice houseplants if you can make a little adjustment for the looser foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAsparagus ferns are very durable and extremely \u003ca title=\"drought tolerant plants\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/drought-tolerant-drought-resistant-plants-perennials-flowers\"\u003edrought tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e in the garden while providing a nice airy textural contrast to the bolder elements. Some are also \u003ca title=\"Salt tolerant plants\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/salt-tolerant-perennials-seaside-plants\"\u003esalt tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e and are suitable for coastal gardens. And some garden-worthy asparagus ferns, such as Asparagus virgatus also make great cut foliage for flower arrangers. \u003ca name=\"How-to-grow-asparagus-fern\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca name=\"\/How-to-grow-asparagus-fern\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to Grow Asparagus Fern (in the garden)\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003ch4\u003eDesign Considerations\u003c\/h4\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe tall asparagus species are lianas which are a type of semi-woody vine that climb primarily by leaning on their neighbors, often clinging to them with the help of short thorns. For these tall asparagus, tall neighbors or a wall make nice companions. Other asparagus ferns are clump-forming plants not too dissimilar in shape from the more familiar houseplant \u003cem\u003eAsparagus densiflorus\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch4\u003eSun and Water Requirements\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAsparagus species thrive in full sun or partial sun. Although quite \u003cstrong\u003edrought tolerant\u003c\/strong\u003e, asparagus fern foliage stays the most attractive with regular water.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat Soil Works Best for Asparagus?\u003c\/h4\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eRich or sandy depending on species - but always \u003cstrong\u003ewell-drained\u003c\/strong\u003e. A lot of our Asparagus ferns are native to rocky, lean locations so read the plant description before adding too much compost.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch4\u003eShould You Stake Asparagus Ferns?\u003c\/h4\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTall asparagus ferns want to lean on something...whether it is a neighboring plant, a wall, a trellis or even the ground. Thus, stakes or trellises with loose ties can be used to corral these plants into an attractive upright shape when other supports are lacking.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen Should You Prune?\u003c\/h4\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eA quick shave or snip will rid the plant of damage that occurs from drought.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch4\u003eCan You Plant Asparagus in Containers?\u003c\/h4\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Like their houseplant brethren, any of our asparagus ferns will also make excellent container plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat About Cut-foliage?\u003c\/h4\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eHelp yourself. They are all beautiful in a vase.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch4\u003eAre Asparagus Ferns Edible?\u003c\/h4\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eDefinitely maybe! Outside of the US, a large number of asparagus species are eaten (caveat...we have not eaten any of these). Just like with \u003cem\u003eA. officinalis\u003c\/em\u003e, the stems of several other species can be cut when young, boiled and eaten. For those who just gotta know, there is no word on the Asparagus-pee issue with these other species. Try them and let us know! According to \u003ca title=\"Plants for a Future website, opens in a new window\" href=\"http:\/\/www.pfaf.org\/user\/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Asparagus\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePFAF\u003c\/a\u003e, several of the species that we have sold have some degree of edibility including \u003cem\u003eA. suaveolens, A. setaceus, A. schoberioides, A. verticillatus\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eA. cochinchinensis\u003c\/em\u003e (the tuber). Don't count on getting the same mild flavor and fiber-free stem with these though. Expect some bitterness and fibrousness which is probably why we don't regularly eat them.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch4\u003eWatch out for Thorns!\u003c\/h4\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eNo matter the size or shape, asparagus fern stems have widely spaced, short thorns that will nip your fingers if you forget about them.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"asparagus-cochinchinensis-grahams-cracker","title":"Asparagus cochinchinensis Grahams Cracker","description":"\u003cp\u003eAsparagus cochinchinensis 'Graham's Cracker' is a truly superb 2015 Plant Delights\/JLBG introduction from NC gardener Graham Ray, who originally purchased this dwarf seedling from Plant Delights. We thought this was a selection of Asparagus densiflorus, but recent DNA testing showed it actually is Asparagus cochinchinensis, which makes it reliable throughout Zone 5. Asparagus 'Graham's Cracker' makes a very tight, upright, 15\" tall x 15\" wide clump...a splendid rock garden specimen. For us, Asparagus 'Graham's Cracker' is tardily deciduous, turning a beautiful shade of gold before going dormant, but it should remain evergreen in warmer climates.\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21024472901,"sku":"2154","price":19.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Asparagus-cochinchinensis-Grahams-Cracker.i-2154.s-67885.r-1.jpg?v=1790086128"},{"product_id":"asparagus-virgatus","title":"Asparagus virgatus","description":"\u003cp\u003eAsparagus virgatus is a South African broom fern that will really sweep you off your feet with its garden performance. Asparagus virgatus is a wonderful winter-hardy, airy-textured addition to both a full sun or part shade garden. The 3' tall upright spikes open into a soft, thread-like, green \"broom.\" Each 3' wide drought-tolerant clump can be used as a fine textural contrast in the garden, for a long-lasting filler in floral arrangements, or to treat syphilis and intestinal worms. You gotta love those multi-use plants. In September the foliage of Asparagus virgatus is adorned with a multitude (catalog lingo for more than one) of small red berries. If winter temperatures stay above 12 degrees F, the foliage should remain evergreen.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWatch our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/shorts\/_rkj1EOf-Ls\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePlant Spotlight\u003c\/a\u003e video for more information.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21025727749,"sku":"4033","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Asparagus-virgatus.i-4033.s-66176.r-1.jpg?v=1790259707"},{"product_id":"asparagus-setaceus-lowestoffe","title":"Asparagus setaceus Lowestoffe","description":"\u003cp\u003eAsparagus 'Lowestoffe' is our winter-hardy selection of the popular tropical houseplant, Asparagus setaceus. This 2009 Plant Delights\/JLBG introduction hails from near Cathcart in South Africa's Eastern Cape at 4,773' elevation, where it grows in dry rocky fields. For us, it has made a wonderful vigorous specimen against a board-on-board fence. Asparagus setaceus is composed of 8' long, spiny, vining stems, adorned with soft dark green foliage and tiny white flowers in spring. In fall, the deciduous plants are covered with tiny red fruit. So far, this has been through 7 degrees F with no adverse effects.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWatch our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oLbuKD_xRkg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePlant Spotlight\u003c\/a\u003e video for more information. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21028648837,"sku":"8648","price":24.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Asparagus-setaceus-Lowestoffe.i-8648.s-68582.r-1.jpg?v=1790778202"},{"product_id":"asparagus-tenuifolius-vodice","title":"Asparagus tenuifolius Vodice","description":"\u003cp\u003eAsparagus tenuifolius 'Vodice' is a 2026 Plant Delights\/JLBG introduction of our collection from Vodice, Croatia of a splendid, hardy asparagus fern, native to the Balkan region. In a decade, our winter deciduous clump has formed a compact 1' tall x 2' wide patch of rich, dark green, luscious fronds that make you want to cop a feel. We think this is one of the finest asparagus ferns that has never been introduced into commerce.\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42450486886487,"sku":"18109","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Asparagus-tenuifolius-Vodice.i-18109.s-68264.r-1.jpg?v=1790940372"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/collections\/asparagus-virgatus-fern-b-1900x350.jpg?v=1681329301","url":"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/asparagus-fern.oembed","provider":"Plant Delights Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}