Q. I was given an Australian tree fern that spent several years in a pot. I trimmed the brown fronds and left it in the pot in a bright spot. It got water now and then. After a hard rain it died back ...

A: I don't want to totally discourage you, but this plant is best outdoors. It tends to sulk in a container if you're not prompt about watering. If the soil dries, the fronds quickly brown. I gave up ...

Ferns are ubiquitous here in south Louisiana, thriving in our moist, semi-shady areas and seemingly springing from nowhere. Take the mysterious resurrection ferns that hug the limbs of our oak trees.