Looks fantastic, Steve!
The Giant Chainfern is my favorite fern. Like you, I have them in combination with other ferns,
notably the western Sword fern and the native Dryopteris from my area. The sooner you can bring
in the bark, the better (in my opinion). All the plants should be happier with bark mulch.

Josh

I don't know...if what's under the gravel is a couple feet of really excellent, humusy soil, I can't imagine it would make much difference...at least for the next couple decades.

Hi - Wow, just wonderful!!!! I wonder, if they
would grow here in my z-7b area?
Thanks, Mistee

Mistee, I think they will grow in your area.

David, I have a Bark bias ;-)

Josh

A true mulch, from something that was once really alive, performs many important services to both the soil system AND the plants residing in that soil. Gravel can't even begin to take its place.

First of all, an organic mulch (meaning from a once living source....carbon-based) buffers the soil temperature from excess heat AND cold; it slowly decomposes, providing a food source to essential soil microorganisms responsible for sustaining the life of our plants; as an organic mulch decomposes, it will also recycle essential elements back to the soil...to be taken up by the plants once again; the soil surface will remain cool to the touch and cannot reflect, transmit, nor store heat that might be detrimental to plants and soil in the heat; organic materials provide food for the macroorganisms which turn the soil and create essential channels for water and air movement. A mulch covered surface is both cooler and quieter for us human-types, too!

And Steve....your ferns are gorgeous. Think how they'd look surrounded by a natural looking mulch! :-)