As to hardiness: we had one outside at work that went through a few freezes before we brought it in. It was near the building, so it may or may not have actually gotten down to freezing, but either way it had to have been through mid-30s without noticeable damage.
And I thought I'd read that they were called Boston ferns because they first became popular in Boston, but I wouldn't swear to it.
Sideshow Bob is a great name. I'd recognize him anywhere!
Can I have your windowseat? Thanks!
Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exalta bostoniensis) are so called because the first known example of this trailing variety of the usually upright Nephrolepis exalta was found among a group of ferns in Boston. (This was indoors as part of plant shipment, not outdoors in the wild, as they are only hardy to zone 9 or so.)
Thanks everyone for explaining that one. I didn't think they were that hardy, but I remember being told that most borderline hardy plants (which they would be in my zone) can cope with the odd severe frost better than a prolonged mild frost.
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