Eleanor Craig, our guest speaker, is know across the southeast as “The Fern Lady”. Based out of Cedar Bluff, Alabama, her small specialty nursery known as “Fern Ridge Farms” ships all of the county, offering over 75 varieties of hardy garden fern, as well as select annuals, tropical ferns, perennials, natives and many fern companion plants. She was previously located in Canton, Georgia. The nursery’s exhibits and garden displays have earned numerous awards at Atlanta’s Southeastern Flower Shows.
Eleanor presented all of those attending with a handout on 24 different types of ferns with their individual info on zones and growing conditions. She also brought many of these ferns for show and tell.
In addition, Fern Ridge Farms is recognized as a resource for locating unusual ferns in the recently published book Plant Lovers’ Guide to Ferns. With 20+ years experience in landscaping, lawn maintenance and the nursery industry, Eleanor has been a huge supporter of Master Gardener programs across the Southeast as both a lecturer and vendor. Her presentation included insight into growing many familiar and new garden ferns, including managing the impacts of climate change, identifying location needs and plant care.
