for Jdiuuiry, 1923 



The Fern Garden 



ANNA B. FREEDLEY 



IT seems stranye to me that st) little is written about 

 our native ferns. We have numerous articles devoted 

 to the perennial or annual and even to the wild flower 

 garden. In fact modern literature is almost over supplied 

 with such information and I often wonder why the ferns 

 have been so neglected. They are most abundant through- 

 out the northeastern United States, especially in the 

 mountains of New England. Perhaps their abundance is 

 one reason, for along every roadside and woodland path 



The Iiitrmittril Fern 



and in every meadow and pasture they are always to be 

 found. Something more showy and harder to obtain, some 

 new and large variety of flower, seems to attract the at- 

 tention of the garden makers of to-day. 



My fern garden is a source of much pleasure and in- 

 terest to me with its cool greenness all through the hot 

 summer days and even after a heavy frost has touched 

 all but the evergreen varieties, for these still stand up, 

 their glossy fronds making a pleasing contrast with the 

 falling Autumn leaves, so gay in color. 



There is infinite variety in the ferns. The foliage is 

 of many difl^erent shapes and shades. The fronds are 

 graceful and arching, stiff and upright, or even low and 

 creeping ; some are finely cut giving a dainty and feathery 

 appearance, others are broad and entire, giving a more 

 solid and blade-like effect. I have found them all hardy, 

 easy to transplant, and most satisfactory under cultiva- 

 tion. 



They belong to the Cryptogams, being flowerless plants 

 and produce spores which take the place of seed. It takes 

 two generations to make a new fern. From the ripened 

 spore which has fallen to the ground rises the prothallium, 

 a thin heart-shaped plant about a quarter of an inch 

 across, or sometimes a little larger, which is attached to 

 the ground by small roots. This very tiny plant is short- 

 lived, living only a few days and bears the antheridia 



and archegonia, which correspond to the stamens and 

 pistils of the flowering plants, and their union results in 

 the new fern, which again in its turn bears the spores. 

 Most of the ferns increase also by underground stems 

 which send up buds and in this way new plants are 

 formed, for they may be detached from the parent and 

 transplanted. My ferns have increased rapidly. Every 

 year I find new shoots and I have several times found it 

 necessary to thin out a clump or move a plant which was 

 being crowded by its neighbor, perhaps a larger or more 

 vigorous type. 



A fern garden in a shady corner of the garden or be- 

 side the porch is a source of daily delight and a study of 

 these interesting and beautiful plants in their many forms 

 and varieties will amply repay the slight trouble that they 

 may give, for they make an almost troubleless garden by 

 their hardiness and ability to withstand the crowding of 

 the ever-present weed. Indeed they thrive better than the 

 weeds ! I think this is because in their native haunts 

 they are always surrounded by other plants and their 

 roots have become accustomed to and strengthened by a 

 continual struggle with the large roots of trees and 

 bushes and tough perennial weeds. They seem to be al- 

 ways crowded and yet always to be holding their own. 

 The little weeds which pop up in our cultivated gardens 

 must seem very insignificant compared to the wild 

 growths which the ferns encounter in woods and hilly 

 pastures. Often while digging up specimens to bring 

 home I have had more trouble with neighboring roots 

 than with those which I desired to procure. 



The first thing to consider in planning a garden of any 

 kind is the location. Ferns require shade and as much 

 coolness and moisture as can be obtained to carry them 

 through the hot part of the season. A northern or north- 

 easterly exposure is no doubt the best. ]\Iy garden faces 

 the southwest, which at first will seem a very poor spot 

 indeed, but two large elms and a linden shade it nearly 

 all day and the sunlight filtering through the leaves gives 

 the added charm of changing light and shadow to this 

 all green garden. 



The soil condition should be considered ne.xt. This 

 should be mixed as far as possible to resemble the soil in 

 which we find them growing. ^lost varieties grow in 

 woods where it is not unusual to find them in pure leaf 

 mold and leaves in different stages of decay, the upper 

 roots running like little silver ribbons between the flat 

 surfaces in search of nourishment, while the larger and 

 older ones penetrate to the soft rich soil beneath, which 

 is composed almost entirely of decomposed leaves fallen 

 in past Autumns. Leaf mold, then, must be added to the 

 chosen plot of ground in large quantities. A mulch of 

 well-rotted manure is beneficial, but not at all necessary. 

 For Winter covering plenty of leaves is all that is required 

 as that is the only protection they receive in the woods. 

 This also keeps the soil in good condition as some leaf 

 mold is added each year. 



A few hours walk through the woods with trowel 

 and basket will yield many specimens with which to start 

 the garden. If anxious for an immediate effect with some 

 fairiy large plants for background and accent, a spade 

 must be used in order to procure as much root as possible. 

 Be sure to give plenty of water at time of transplanting 

 and, if it be a hot day or during a dry spell, continue 

 watering the plants for several evenings following or 

 until the fern becomes accustomed to its new situation. 



