As actress Julianne Moore learned during her first attempts to design her garden in Manhattan's West Village, the shady dampness that plagues the average townhouse lot can pose a challenge to many plants.
But that's precisely the climate in which staghorn ferns—they've been enjoying a moment as indoor houseplants for a while now—thrive. We've been admiring their strikingly sculptural look outdoors, as well, since we first spotted Moore's garden in Architectural Digest. Here's how to get the look:
N.B.: For more photos of the garden, go to Architectural Digest.
Above: Moore's staghorn ferns, mounted on boards painted black to match the trim on her townhouse, are grouped like antler trophies on the brick wall. Staghorn ferns thrive in the low filtered light that Moore's garden enjoys.
Above: A 12-inch Staghorn Fern Plaque is $44.95 at Wind and Weather. Mix and match fern sizes, with mounted Staghorn Ferns from Paxton Gate; they're $39 to $69, depending on size.
Above: Platycerium bifurcatum prefers, if left to its own devices, to grow on trees in rainforests. It can survive outdoors in temperatures ranging from 40 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. In other climates, shelter it indoors when necessary. Image via Terrain.
Above: To create a dramatic focal point, consider a 14-inch Large Mounted Staghorn Fern; it's $105 from Terrain.