How to Grow Asparagus densiflorus Plants in your Garden

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Asparagus fern / Foxtail fern / or Plume asparagus

Asparagus Densiflorus is more commonly known as the Plume asparagus, Asparagus fern, and foxtail fern. It belongs to the Asparagus plant family (Asparagaceae).

It has grown in popularity with gardeners because of its unique foliage. Plants reach about 2 feet (60 cm) in height. It has a scrambling nature with arching branches reaching about 3 feet (0.9 cm) long.

Blooms appear in the middle of summer. These last for about a fortnight. Flowers are small, pale pink or white, and aromatic.

Asparagus densiflorus photograph by sanxiaodevea.

Following blooming Asparagus Densiflorus will produce single seeded red berries. As these are beloved by many birds, this makes them ideal for wildlife gardens.

Although native to southern Africa, the plant is now seen in gardens across the world, where it does well in many hardy zones.

Asparagus fern is an evergreen perennial plant. It is able to mound forming, sending off more fern leaves each year while the older ones increase in size.

Ideal locations for Asparagus fern in the garden include four season gardens, in shaded or wooded areas where it can be difficult to grow other plants, and helping to fill in the mid-ground areas as ground cover or as border plants.

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Asparagus fern

As a natural wooded area plant, Asparagus Densiflorus is able to tolerate a wide range of light conditions, preferring indirect sunlight to shaded spots.

It does need rich soil though, with plenty of organic matter in the soil to feed off of. Plant your asparagus firm in a rich, well-drained soil, but remember to keep it well watered.

Asparagus Densiflorus grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 in the United States, mainly because its roots can die off if it drops below 50°F (10°C) during the winter. In Britaian, the plant can be grown outdoors in the summer only, as it belongs to UK hardiness group H1C.

As a perennial plant it can be left outdoors over winter in warmer areas.

For zones where the temperature dips lower, it is advised that you grow the plant in a container so that you can bring the plant inside in the winter once the leaves have died back.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Asparagus Densiflorus. You may also enjoy the following growing guides: How to grow Asparagus and Yucca plant.