{"title":"Astrolepis","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAstrolepis\u003c\/em\u003e is a small genus of 8 species of dryland, sun-loving ferns that is native to the Americas. In the wild, they are usually lithophytic (they grow on rock), so in the garden, sharp drainage is important. You might say that these ferns are the rock stars of the garden. The genus name comes from the ancient Greek ‘astro’ for star and ‘lepis’ for scale. This refers to the star-shaped scales on the upper leaf surface which for the most part is only visible with a hand lens. Many of these \u003cem\u003eAstrolepis\u003c\/em\u003e were formerly placed in the genera \u003cem\u003eNotholaena\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eCheilanthes\u003c\/em\u003e. As with most dryland ferns, we suggest tucking them up against or even partially under a large rock in the rock or crevice garden. Excellent drainage is essential for these mostly desert-loving ferns.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eAstrolepis Growing Conditions\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eGiven its native abode, you'd be right in guessing that \u003cem\u003eAstrolepis\u003c\/em\u003e is not like most ferns. \u003cem\u003eAstrolepis\u003c\/em\u003e ferns prefer a dry site to a moist one and cannot tolerate poorly draining winter moist soils. \u003cem\u003eAstrolepis\u003c\/em\u003e leaves (fronds) are quite toxic, so deer and rabbits do not eat them.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough \u003cem\u003eAstrolepis\u003c\/em\u003e fronds like sun and can tolerate heat, the roots prefer to be in shade such as under a rock or in a crack in a boulder, so siting this fern properly is important to its survival. Try tucking the ferns into a stone wall or growing them in a rock garden. \u003cem\u003eAstrolepis\u003c\/em\u003e will also do well in a container on the patio as long as the soil is well-drained and temperatures remain above the low 20's F.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eTypes of Astrolepis Ferns\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Astrolepis sinuata\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/products\/astrolepis-sinuata\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAstrolepis\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003esinuata\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e (Wavy Cloak Fern) (syn: \u003cem\u003eCheilanthes\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003esinuata\u003c\/em\u003e) This attractive southwest US native is found on acidic rock outcrops and slopes from Texas south to South America but is rarely seen in cultivation. Surprisingly, in recent years populations have been found around a bridge piling in LA, a natural gas platform in GA and a very large, apparently natural population on granitic cliffs in the Jocassee Gorges of South Carolina. The adaptability of this plant is evident in its range, and it is no surprise that it proves the easiest of the genus to grow in the Southeast. The narrow, upright semi-evergreen thick green fronds with stunning white backs line the black stipe, forming a tight 18\" wide upright clump with via short creeping rhizomes. Though not a “beginners” fern, as long as it has good drainage it is fairly resilient. It has even performed well in a fern table where it receives only 4 hours of direct sun in cool and humid Kingston, Washington at Heronswood Garden. In nature, it usually grows with its roots hidden beneath a large rock. (Hardiness Zone 7b-9b)\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Astrolepis windhamii\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/products\/astrolepis-windhamii\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAstrolepis\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003ewindhamii\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e (Windham's Cloak Fern): (syn: \u003cem\u003eNotholaena\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003ewindhamii\u003c\/em\u003e) This recently described apogamous (able to reproduce without fertilization) species of desert fern is thought to have speciated from a horticultural menage-a-trois of \u003cem\u003eAstrolepis\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003ecochisensis\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eAstrolepis\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003esinuata\u003c\/em\u003e, and a third party yet-to-be-named. \u003cem\u003eAstrolepis\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003ewindhamii\u003c\/em\u003e occurs on both alkaline and acidic soils, up to 5,500' elevation from West Texas west through Arizona. \u003cem\u003eAstrolepis\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003ewindhamii\u003c\/em\u003e resembles \u003cem\u003eAstrolepis\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003esinuata\u003c\/em\u003e except that the pinnae (fern leaves) are more rounded and the leaf lobes shallower. A well drained spot in the rock garden is perfect for this tight clumper, whose rigidly upright brown-backed olive-green fronds reach 1' tall. (Hardiness Zone 7b-9b at least)\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003ePlant Delights Nursery has a huge collection of over 1000 ferns planted in our garden. We also have one of the largest and most esoteric selections of ferns for sale in the US. If you are looking for unusual ferns, Plant Delights should be your first stop. Providing beauty and texture to the garden, ferns are great garden plants and a staple of a well designed garden. When you're ready to buy \u003cem\u003eAstrolepis\u003c\/em\u003e ferns for your perennial garden, we hope you'll check out our online list of \u003cem\u003eAstrolepis\u003c\/em\u003e for sale.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"astrolepis-sinuata","title":"Astrolepis sinuata","description":"\u003cp\u003e(syn: Cheilanthes sinuata) Astrolepis sinuata is an attractive southwest US \u003ca title=\"See more native ferns\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/fern-plant-hardy-ferns-perennial-outdoor-garden\"\u003enative fern\u003c\/a\u003e, found on outcrops and slopes from Texas south to South America, but is rarely seen in cultivation. The narrow, upright, mostly-evergreen, thick green fronds with stunning white backs line the black stipe, forming a tight 18\" wide upright clump with a short creeping rhizome. We have found it very easy to cultivate in our part to full sun rock garden with \u003ca title=\"See our collection of agaves\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/agave\"\u003eagaves\u003c\/a\u003e and cactus. In nature, the drought-tolerant Astrolepis sinuata usually grows with its roots hidden beneath a large rock.\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21025557189,"sku":"3763","price":23.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Astrolepis-sinuata.i-3763.s-65941.r-1_3f3fea2e-f963-4c10-a231-cd78bba4b803.jpg?v=1789493892"},{"product_id":"astrolepis-sinuata-jeff-davis","title":"Astrolepis sinuata Jeff Davis","description":"\u003cp\u003e(aka: Cheilanthes bonariensis) Astrolepis sinuata 'Jeff Davis' is our 2026 Plant Delights\/JLBG introduction of our 2000 collection from Jeff Davis County, Texas at 6,000' elevation. The attractive and easy-to-grow southwest US native is found on well-drained limestone outcrops and slopes from Texas south to South America, but rarely seen in cultivation. The tight 18\" wide clump is composed of narrow, upright, semi-evergreen, dark olive-green fronds, whose in ground roots prefer to live under a large rock. For best success, site it where it gets 2-4 hours of sun. It also makes a superb outdoor container specimen.\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21026898053,"sku":"5675","price":24.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Astrolepis-sinuata-Jeff-Davis.i-5675.s-68269.r-1.jpg?v=1785352741"},{"product_id":"astrolepis-sinuata-parker-creek","title":"Astrolepis sinuata Parker Creek","description":"\u003cp\u003e(syn: Cheilanthes sinuata) Astrolepis sinuata 'Parker Creek' is a 2018 Plant Delights\/JLBG introduction that comes from our 2005 spore collection from 5,200' elevation in Arizona's Gila County. This fascinating desert \u003ca title=\"See more of our fantastic ferns\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/fern-plant-hardy-ferns-perennial-outdoor-garden\"\u003efern\u003c\/a\u003e has been happy in our southeastern US rock garden for well over a decade, forming a 1' tall x 18\" wide clump of dark-olive, narrow, upright, evergreen fronds with fuzzy brown backs. Although Astrolepis sinuata is native in alkaline soils, it has thrived in our 6.2 pH and much wetter climate, as long as drainage is good. During periods of drought, the leaves will curl inward to reduce water loss.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":12454286786583,"sku":"7066","price":24.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Astrolepis-sinuata-Parker-Creek.i-7066.s-65575.r-1.jpg?v=1790350301"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/collections\/Astrolepis-sinuata-1900x350_64d70c41-09bf-4cf9-ae47-505eea9f9980.jpg?v=1687893633","url":"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/astrolepis-sun-fern.oembed","provider":"Plant Delights Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}