FERNS

Adiantum (Adiantaceae)
Maidenhair fern

The genus contains more than 200 species, which are widely distributed in temperate and tropical areas and which are reasonably adaptable to many soils, although they prefer moist, humus-rich soils with low medium levels of light.

Propagation: By sowing spores or by division in spring.

Hardiness: Few species are totally hardy unless their rhizomes are covered adequately with a humus-rich mulch in severe winters.

Athyrium(woodsiaceae)

The genus iuncludes nearly 200 species of deciduous terrestrial ferns from widely diverse parts of the world although all prefer moist woodland.

Propagation: By sowing spores as soon as ripe or by dividing in spring

Hardiness: Hardy to frost tender.

Athyrium (filix-femina)

Lady fern

This hardy deciduous fern, which is native to Europe, North America and Asia, is one of the most attractive hardy ferns. It has elegant, arching fronds, which are pinnate, lance shaped and light green. They look like shuttlecocks that play out towards the edge and each frond grows to 1m (3ft) long.

Cultivation: Grow in moist, neutral to acid soil. It prefers brighter light than most ferns as long as it is filtered.

Height: 1.2m (4ft); spreaD:60cm-1m (2-3ft).

Blechnum (Blechnaceae)

Hard Fern

This is a widely distributed genus of about 200 mainly evergreen terrestrial ferns, which are found in sheltered, acid conditions mostly in the southern hemisphere. Some of the tender species develop quite distinctive “trunks”.

Propagation: By sowing spores in late summer or by division in spring.