Overwintering guide
How to overwinter mountain bladder fern
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills mountain bladder fern in winter
Cutting mountain bladder fern hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More mountain bladder fern care
Overwintering mountain bladder fern — FAQ
Does mountain bladder fern need to come indoors for winter?
Mountain Bladder Fern is hardy to roughly USDA zone 4 — winter lows around -34°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Mountain Bladder Fern is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move mountain bladder fern for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water mountain bladder fern in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills mountain bladder fern over winter?
Cutting mountain bladder fern hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.