Coddenham, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK Tel. 01473 833187
Conservatory Plants Succulents Tender Perennials Hardy Perennials Ferns Grasses
| HARDY FERNS |
Ferns are very old plants - they have been around for 360 million years, longer even than the dinosaurs. Though primitive plants, having not evolved flowers, they are one of the great success stories of the plant world; from diminutive floating plants to giant tree ferns, they are found all over the world. From a gardening point of view, they came to the fore in the Victorian era when there was a craze in collecting species and varieties from all over the world, (specifically known as ‘Pteridomania’). As with all crazes, the fern craze went out of fashion, and whilst they may never have regained this popularity, they certainly qualify a place in most gardens in terms of both habitat and design. Most gardens have a cool, shady, damp spot, ideal for hostas and the like. Here, the delicately cut fresh green fern fronds makes an ideal contrast to bolder foliage and flowers. Many are evergreen and make excellent container plants, having a long season of interest. We tend to think of fern fronds being typically finely cut and lacy, but there are some species with bolder, almost unfern-like foliage. The new fronds unfurling in spring resemble croziers or fiddleheads and are one of the fascinating and rewarding aspects of growing ferns. The reproductive habits are equally fascinating - those interested will find graphic explanations in books & the internet. From a practical point of view, the gardener needs to know that ferns reproduce by spores which are produced by special structures usually on the underside of the fronds - these should not be mistaken for a disease or pest problem. They are usually regularly and neatly arranged, so there should be no confusion. The reproductive process requires moist conditions, so ferns are associated with and are more widely found in wetter climates; however many species will grow well in drier parts, some even tolerating dry shade, though you are less likely to find baby plants, or sporelings, in these conditions. Culture: Most need moisture retentive soil, but with a few exceptions, will not like waterlogged conditions. Add plenty of leaf mould or compost to the soil. They will grow in full shade, but many will take brighter spots, but still need shade from hot sun. When planting, don`t bury the crown - but make sure it is at the same level with the soil as it was in it`s pot, and make sure the rootball is mulched. Cut off tired and dead fronds in spring before the new fronds get going. When you take the plant out of it`s pot, check the roots - healthy, growing roots should have noticeably yellowish tips. They suffer few pest and disease problems, and should be protected from pesticides etc. as these can scorch the foliage. |
| Asplenium | ||
Genus of evergreen and semi evergreen ferns found virtually all over the world. Grow in humush-rich, moist soil in shade. Some, including A. scolopendrium and it's varieties prefer alkaline soil so bear in mind that soil that contains a lot of leaf litter from deciduous trees will tend to be more acidic. | ||
scolopendrium ‘Angustatum’ | Cultivar with strap-shaped fronds with attractively crimped margins. Evergreen | £ 4.00 |
| Athyrium | ||
Genus of deciduous ferns usually found growing in damp woodland in temperate regions. Grow in moist, humus-rich, neutral to acidic soil in shade. They are not suited to a very exposed site, prefering reasonable shelter. Ideal for a woodland garden | ||
niponicum v. pictum ‘Ursulas Red’ | Stunning looking fern with metallic, bi-pinnate fronds with a dark red stripe down the middle. | £ 4.75 |
nipponicum ‘Silver Falls’ | A superb cultivar with bi-pinnate, silvery fronds and contrasting red veins. May start into growth later than other ferns. | £ 4.75 |
otophorum var. okanum | This fern has fresh yellow-green, bi-pinnate fronds and contrasting red-tinged stalks which brighten up a shady spot. Also nice in a container. | £ 4.75 |
| Cheilanthes | ||
These mainly evergreen ferns are found growing in rocky crevices and even semi-desert areas. They are therefore very drought tolerant and prefer full sun although a little shade is tolerated. They require sharp drainage (especially in winter) so ideal for a rockery. They have minute hairs on the fronds to reduce water loss. In drought conditions they roll up their fronds to further reduce water loss. | ||
lanosa | Syn C. tomentosa. Species from N. America with grey-green, lance-shaped, tri-pinnate fronds with silvery scales on the reverse and dark purple stems. | £ 4.75 |
| Cyrtomium | ||
These evergreen, sometimes deciduous ferns are found growing in woodland in Central and Eastern Asia. They are much bolder, having less divided fronds than many other ferns. Grow in moist, humus-rich, well drained soil in part/full shade. | ||
falcatum | Species from Japan which is evergreen in a sheltered position but often deciduous in cold areas. It has broad, pointed, alternate, glossy green fronds, reminiscent of a Holly. Makes a nice pot plant for a cool shady position indoors where conditions outdoors are too harsh.. | £ 4.75 |
fortunei var. clivicola | Evergreen variety with leathery fronds, the leaflets (called ‘pinnae’) are quite large and un-cut, in contrast to most other ferns. At a glance it resembles Mahonia foliage. Makes a nice pot- plant, indoors as well as out, and the fronds are useful in flower arranging. | £ 4.75 |
| Dryopteris | ||
These mostly deciduous ferns are found in woodland, mountains, and by streams in the Northern Hemisphere. Most are the classic fern shape with upright bi-pinnate fronds and are ideal for most shady gardens. They prefer moist, humus-rich soil n a shady, sheltered site. D. affinis and it's varieties however, do tolerate more windy conditions than other species. | ||
cycadina | (Syn D. atrata). A semi-evergreen fern with a shuttle-cock of long lance-shaped, pinnate fronds, these being dark green with contrasting black stems (strictly these are called ‘stipes’). Orignates in Asia, from N. India to Japan. | £ 4.75 |
erythrosora | Usually deciduous but can be evergreen in a sheltered spot. The glossy new, fronds are a beautiful pinky-bronze colour (this gives it it's common name even though it appears in spring), contrasting with the mature dark green fronds. Native to Japan and China | £ 4.75 |
felix-mas | The common Male fern native to Europe and North America with large lance-shaped mid-green fronds. Robust and able to put up with the worst weather conditions we get here in the UK | £ 4.00 |
sieboldii | Very different from other species of Dryopteris, this one has bold, leathery pinnate fronds. Likes a well sheltered position. Semi-evergreen. | £ 4.50 |
| Onoclea | ||
Only one species of this fern is known and it occurs in moist and boggy areas in East Asia and Northeastern USA. | ||
sensibilis | A very pretty fern with pinnate fronds which are flushed red when young and turn a blue-green as they mature. Though not very tall, it expends it’s energy spreading sideways though moist to boggy soil, and though possibly invasive, pulling up the shallow rhizomes where they’re not wanted is no chore. Sensitive to the first autumn frost, hence it’s common name. Unlike most ferns, the spores are borne on stiffly upright bobbly structures. Grow in dappled shade. The fronds tend to burn in hot sun. | £ 4.75 |
| Polystichum | ||
These evergreen, occassionally deciduous ferns are found in a variety of habitats around the world from alpine cliffs to temperate and tropical forests. Grow in neutral to acidic, humus-rich, well drained soil in part or full shade. Tolerant of slightly drier shade than some other ferns. | ||
munitum | Robust evergreen fern with shuttlecocks of lance-shaped, pinnate, leathery-green fronds. | £ 4.50 |
polyblepharum | A nice evergreen fern with shuttlecocks of shiny, bi-pinnate, lance-shaped fronds. The tips of the fronds droop, tassel-like, as they unfurl, hence the common name. | £ 4.75 |
tsussimense | A neat little evergreen species, with shuttlecocks of bi-pinnate, glossy, dark green fronds. Good for the front of a shady border or in a container. | £ 4.75 |
| Woodwardia | ||
Genus of evergreen and deciduous ferns from North America, often found growing in boggy areas, next to streams and in moist woodland. Some species produce bulbils which can be removed in autumn and sown in a seed tray. | ||
fimbriata | A magnificent species which can reach 9 feet tall in perfect conditions but more often between 3 and 6 feet. Has attractive, broad bi-pinnate green fronds. This species is deciduous and unfortunately doesn't produce bulbils. | £ 5.00 |