Fern fronds: these may grab you

I guess it's certain now: Spring is here in St. Louis. We've got a little bit of colder weather coming this weekend, but it won't get below freezing. In fact today will be near 80ºF (26ºC) and mostly dry so I'll be out there continuing with spring cleanup. First though a break to enjoy some of Spring's goodness: fern fronds unfurling!

These are from my tassel fern (am I right about that? I can't find the plant tag...) which stayed green all winter. I suppose that means that I shouldn't be surprised that it's the first fern to put out new fronds, but I was when I saw them yesterday. I mean, it's only mid-March!

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The thing is, these look like huge spider legs to me.

A bit too wooly, but very spiderish. Ready to grab you if you get too close...

Okay, they may not literally grab you, but they may grab your heart. I love them!

Let's see more, including some shots of the whole plant...

It's back to raking and general bed cleanup for me now. I'm glad I noticed these -- they're a sign that the garden will soon be more than bamboo maintenance, leaf raking, and ornamental grass shearing.


If I got that fern ID wrong, please let me know!

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