Good plant, mediocre results — what went wrong with my Lady Fern

Lady Fern is clearly a great plant — I can see that from other people's results. Mine has been decent but not spectacular, and I think I know why.

I underestimated the importance of positioning in shade or dappled light away from direct sun in the early stages and paid for it. scale insects on the undersides of fronds also knocked the plant back at a critical point. It lives in a shaded north-facing border under trees which is probably not quite right but it's the best I can do in my space. dramatic unfurling fiddle-head growth in spring is visible but muted. spectacular new crozier unfurling in spring gave me hope — there are glimpses of what it could be. Three stars for now with potential for four.