Mail Order Catalogue 2010

Ferns

FERNS.
At last these wonderful foliage plants are getting the recognition they deserve.  Even the most "common" varieties can add great diversity to a garden and the delicacy of leaf form is unequalled for grace and beauty.  Most prefer shade and moisture retentive soil, but nevertheless will tolerate a wide range of habitat.  For instance, for bog or water side choose Matteucia, Onoclea, or Osmunda;  for drier soils Dryopteris, Polypodium and Polystichum. The ones listed below always create great interest and comment in the garden. All are best grown using plenty of leaf mould.

ASPLENIUM.
   -   scolopendrium.  ( The Hart's Tongue) Very easy on either limestone or in acid conditions. 2 ft. D
   -   -    'Ramocristatum'.  The frond is both branched and crested.  1 ft. H

BLECHNUM.
   -   chilense.  Dark green, leathery, arching fronds form an imposing plant of great decorative value.
Evergreen and spreading.  3 ft. H
   -   penna-marina.  Delightful, densely creeping bronze green fern with many garden uses.  8 ins.   E

MATTEUCIA.
   -   struthiopteris.  (Ostrich Feather Fern)  The imposing and symetrical shuttlecock fern is a plant of great presence and grows to over four feet tall in ideal conditions. It spreads by runners and is very easy to grow in damp half shaded positions.  E

ONOCLEA.
   -   sensibilis.  (Sensitive Fern) Despite this name it is perfectly hardy. The fronds carry quite broad pinnae and it's spreading habit make it a wonderful waterside plant where it relishes the damp conditions. 2 ft.  E
   -   -   'Copper' .  In this delightful form the emerging fronds are a deep red copper colour which persists on the fronds throughout most of the season. As easy to grow as the foregoing it is presently rather rare. 2 ft.  G

Sorry we no longer sell grasses.