Asparagus Myrii

‘Myers’ Asparagus Fern is a spreading perennial herb that has a fine texture with a stiff, upright habit. The habit is quite unlike that of the more common ‘Sprengerii’ Fern. This plant grows fairly rapidly and may attain a height of about 2 feet. The true leaves of this fern are scale-like and inconspicuous. The structures that most consider to be the leaves of this plant are actually narrow, light green, leaf-like branchlets called cladophylls. The stems of the Asparagus Fern emerge directly from the ground and are stiffly erect and have very short branches. These stems are a bit woody and are often armed with sharp spines. The flowers are white or pale pink and occur in axillary racemes that are 1/4 inch long; they are not showy. The bright red berries of this herb, however, are quite showy

Use and Management

The Asparagus Fern may be used as a specimen, border, ground cover, bedding plant, or container plant. It will not cascade over a wall like the ‘Sprengeri’ cultivar because the habit is upright, but could be used as a small, low-growing unclipped hedge or border. It will make a nice accent plant in a small residential landscape or rock garden. In a sunny location indoors it maintains a fairly nice plant for several years.

Grow this plant in full sun or partial shade, and plant it in well-drained soil. Keep it irrigated regularly, especially in a container.

Asparagus Fern may be propagated by seeds and by division of the tubers.