|
Asparagus virgatus (African Broom Fern) - An upright evergreen perennial to 3 feet tall by about 2 feet wide with airy nearly vertical stems holding tiny soft thread-like leaves arranged like a wispy broom at the stem tips. Tiny white late spring and summer flowers are followed in late summer by attractive globose red fruit dangling on slender peduncles - older fruit darkens to near black.
Plant in full sun to light shade and irrigate regularly to only occasionally. It is winter hardy down to at least 5 to 10° F and useful in gardens in USDA Zone 7b and above. This plant is attractive with an unusual fine texture and has great garden performance. Its cut foliage, with or without the fruit is long lasting in floral arrangements.
Asparagus virgatus plant comes from south Eastern Africa where it typically grows along shaded waterways so it is surprising how drought tolerant this plant is. The name for the genus originates from the original Greek word 'asparagos' that was given to the cultivated asparagus and the specific epithet comes from the Latin word 'virga' meaning a "twig" , "sprout" or "stalk" in reference to the way the leaves cluster at the top of the stems. It is also commonly known as Tree fern and Tiki fern. We first grew this plant in 1992, having received seed from Florever, a cut flower grower in Mexico, but let it slip from production in 2021.
The information displayed on this page about Asparagus virgatus is based on the research we have conducted about it in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about this plant as it grows in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant have performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we have received from others and welcome hearing from anyone with information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information that will aid others to better grow it.
|
