GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



Some ferns grow along roadsides and in the fields ex- 

 posed to the full sunshine. These seem of a tougher, 

 thicker texture, no doubt developed as far as possible to 

 retain all the moisture they can obtain. They take very 

 kindly to a cool cultivated spot and seem to appreciate it 

 by developing foliage of a soft rich green, losing the yel- 

 low tint the sun gives to them. The wood loving ferns 

 are the daintiest and most beautiful, being more feathery 

 in appearance and of a finer texture. 



Tlie Interrupted Fern (Osmund Claytoniana) and the 

 Cinnamon Fern ( Osmunda cinnamomea) are two of the 

 most satisfactory large ferns, growing to a height of from 

 four to five feet. They have long graceful fronds coming 

 from the crown in a circle and giving the plant a vase- 

 like shape. 



The CinnanKin l-'ern is a medium green, with rather 

 finely cut edges and is unusually dainty in appearance for 

 such a large variety. The spores are most interesting. 

 They appear in June on stems rising from the center and 

 hang like minute launches of dry and crinkled grapes. 

 Thev are a lovely soft brown and from this fact the fern 

 takes its name. These fertile stalks disappear later in 

 the Summer, but the sterile or leafy fronds stay green 

 and fresh until late in the season. 



The Interrupted Fern is quite different. The fronds 

 are lighter green and not being so finely cut along the 

 edge, give a more substantial effect. The spores are 

 the same soft brown, but are borne midway up the leafy 

 frond interrupting the pinnae which are opposite and 

 arranged in even ranks. These spores hang in little 

 clusters similar to those of the Cinnamon Fern. They 

 are very ornamental and remain on the stalk all the season 

 making an interesting note of color in this green garden. 



Both of these ferns have a large tough rootstock which 

 makes them a little more difficult to dig up than some of 

 the smaller varieties, but they are very hardy and even if 

 the root becomes broken, which is almost sure to 

 happen, they recover rapidly. I have a lovely speci- 

 men of the Interrupted Fern in my garden which gave me 

 a great deal of trouble when digging as this large root 

 had worked its way between two rocks. After trying 

 in vain for some time to get a large portion of the root, 

 I broke it ott and carried it home, only to see it droop 

 most forlornly. I planted it carefully and watered it 

 thoroughly, but the next day it still drooped and when 

 one frond turned yellow, I was sure I would lose it. How- 

 ever, I continued to give it plenty of water and it responded 

 by graduallv cheering up and is now one of my most at- 

 tractive plants. It has proved its hardiness and willing- 

 ness to be transplanted by doing well under cultivation. 



These two larger varieties are especially useful as 

 accents by steps or in the bays and jiromontories of the 

 garden design. 



The mediuiu-sized ferns which we will consider are 

 the Spinulose Wood Fern, the hivergreen Wood Fern, the 

 Long Beech Fern, the Christmas I''crn and the Sensitive 

 Fern. 



The Spinulose Wood Fern (Aspidium spinulosum) is 

 one of the most beautiful of the ferns. It is vase-shaped 

 and grows to be one foot to one foot and a half high and 

 is very finely cut, looking like lace. It reminds me of the 

 fine mesh we see in the lace collars which the old Dutch 

 gentlemen wore while sitting for their portraits. It is a 

 good medium green and makes a very attractive mass 

 effect for filling in the midrlle portions of the design 

 The sterile and fertile fronds are similar. The sjMres 

 are round, pale yellow and are lx)rne on the under side of 

 the pinnje. They are inconspicuous and not often seen 

 except by those who turn the leaf over in search for 

 them. 



The F>vergreen Wood Fern (Aspidium marginale) is 



verv similar in size and shape, but in texture is much 

 heavier. The color is deeper green, with a dull almost 

 leathery finish and the new fronds are a bright Spring 

 green, making a decided contract with the older leaves. 

 The edges of the pinnx are rather coarsely incised and 

 the general appearance of the fern is that of stability. 

 The leaves stay green all Winter under the snow. The 

 spores are deep brown, disk-like and prominent, borne on 

 the under side of the pinnae at the extreme edge. The 

 sterile and fertile fronds are alike in shape and color, the 

 spores not visible when looking down upon the plant. 



The Long Beech Fern ( Phegopteris polypodiodes) is 

 a most attractive little jjlant, being not quite as tall as the 

 two varieties just described. It is rarely over one foot 

 in height. It possesses a charm which the. other ferns 

 do not have and it should have a place in every garden. 

 Its cheerful and almost pert appearance attracts the at- 

 tention of every visitor. Its expression is the same as 

 we find in the face of the pansy, — full of good nature and 

 happiness. The fronds are medium green, of good 

 texture and taper to a sharp point. The lower pair of 

 pinnse turn upward, almost set at right angles to the 

 main stem. It is exceedingly interesting and makes such 

 a pleasing contrast with the more graceful and arching 

 fronds of some of the other varieties, that it fully repays 

 a longer search in meadow and woodland, for it is not 

 as common as those mentioned above. It is also very 

 hardy and satisfactory under cultivation. 



The Christmas Fern ( Aspidium acrostichoides) is 

 familiar to everyone with its long narrow fronds of deep 

 glossy green, very sharply pointed, which sometimes 

 droop gracefully and Sometimes stand erect in an almost 

 defensive attitude. This fern is evergreen and substantial. 

 It is good for foreground or middle distance and is es- 

 pecially distinctive used as a small accent. The fertile 

 fronds are quite noticeable, as the tip is constricted and 

 shriveled. The spores are borne on the under side of this 

 tip in crowded groups and are of a rich brown color. 

 Each pinnre is armed with small sharp bristles and the 

 stem has small tufts of brown down on either side. 



The Sensitive Fern, (Onoclea sensibilis) is so called be- 

 cause the young leaves which first appear in Spring droop 

 quickly and are tender. It is not really sensitive, but 

 quite hardy. It is found along roadsides exposed to 

 strong sunlight or along woodland paths. The specimens 

 that are growing in sunny situations have a distinct yel- 

 low tone, while those in the shade are darker, greener, 

 and more thrifty. The leaves are deeply loljed, having an 

 entire edge which gives the plant a very difi^erent appear- 

 ance from any of the other ferns. There is also a form 

 with undulating edges. The spores are borne on their 

 own stems and are quite conspicuous. This fern is valu- 

 able for oljlaining contrast on account of its distinctive 

 foliage. 



One of the smallest ferns is the t'ommon rolyi>ody 

 ( Polypodium vulgare), sometimes called Snake Fern. It 

 is seldom over six inches in height. It is found through 

 the woods and along the l)anks of mountain streams, 

 covering rocks and Iwuldcrs like a carpet and growing in 

 tiny crevices where there is hardly a bit of earth. It is, 

 therefore, valuable for rock work and to ])lace between 

 flag-stones. The fronds are slender, deep green and of a 

 dull leathery texture. They are evergreen and resemble 

 the Christmas I'"ern in shaije, hut are not glossy, do not 

 have the small bristles on the leaflets and are much 

 smaller. The spores are borne f)n the under side of the 

 leaf at the tip. .and arc dee|i yellow ;uid very close to- 

 gether . 



The Maidenhair l'"crn ( Adiantum ])edatiim), so well 

 known and so well loved by all, hardly needs to be 

 (Continued on pag,c 8) 



