PlantFiles: Ming Fern
Asparagus macowanii

Not a fern at all. Perhaps should be written "ming-fern" or "mingfern" to avoid confusion with true ferns.

I have tried all types of ferns in my hot, shady Houston garden and this one has performed better than any others. It doesn't seem to be particular about soil. It has a soft, lush look ... I like to use the cut foliage in flower arrangements.

I "inherited" this plant when I bought my new house. Someone on Dave's Garden helped me to identify my plant that looked like a "skinny pine tree" as an asparagus, much to my surprise. Now, a few months later, it has more than confirmed that identification by sending up a new stalk that looks very asparagus-like. I've posted a couple of pictures.

A couple of weeks aftter the new stalk appeared, it fully "leafed" out and now looks just like the other stalks.

This plant seems to require very little care other than frequent watering and removal of dead branches. It has an elegant look and is also a nice conversation piece ("That's an ASPARAGUS?").