During this time, the city was experiencing rapid growth and development, with an influx of European immigrants bringing their gardening traditions with them. The Spanish and French, in particular, influenced the city's architectural and horticultural landscape. In the humid, subtropical climate of New Orleans, ferns thrived naturally. They were abundant in the nearby swamps and forests, making them an easily accessible and cost-effective way to beautify homes and businesses. The Boston fern, with its graceful, arching fronds, became particularly popular and remains a staple of New Orleans balconies to this day.