364 
THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
Ferns—continued. 
species of Fern native of the British Isles has retained 
its normal characters throughout: all haye become more 
or less addicted to variations. That power of producing 
variable forms, either due to the influence of the atmo- 
sphere or to other causes, can hardly be ascribed to the 
effects of cultivation, as most of the crested, undulated, 
multifid, and other forms of Lastrea Filia-mas, Athyriwm 
Filix-femina, Polypodium vulgare, Polystichum angulare, 
and Scolopendrium vulgare have usually been met with in 
a wild state in some part or other of the United Kingdom. 
Even the production of the crested forms of exotic species, 
such as Adiantums, Gymnogrammes, and Pteris may be 
said to be a monopoly of this country. 
Like any other order of plants, Ferns have their pigmies 
as well as their giants, but the differences as regards 
dimensions are much more marked in them than in most if 
not in all others. While some of the gigantic Tree-Ferns 
attain some 50ft. in height, others seldom exceed a few 
inches ; and, as regards the fronds themselves, although in 
the case of certain Polypodiums, Trichomanes, and others, 
these are only an inch or even less in length, in others 
they reach fully 15ft. Again, some kinds affect a 
bushy and symmetrical form, whereas others are provided 
with rhizomes or stems which naturally grow many yards 
in length, twining round other plants or climbing to the 
top of tall trees. 
Although in the majority of cases their foliage is of a 
uniform green colour, yet, either in the course of development 
or when fully matured, their fronds, in some cases entire, 
and in others more or less finely divided, exhibit a most 
extensive variety of shades, ranging from the dark colour 
peculiar to the Hard Fern, Blechnwm Spicant, or to the 
Soft Prickly Shield Fern, Polystichum angulare, to the 
soft pea-green tint of our common Oak Fern, Polypodiwm 
Dryopteris, or the loyely Adiantum trapeziforme. Others, 
like the common Polypodiwm aurewm, a deservedly popular 
strong - growing kind, or the small, dwarf - growing 
P. glaucophyllum, retain all through their existence a 
pleasing bluish tint which forcibly reminds one of the 
foliage of Eucalyptus globulus. Others, again, although 
quite green when mature, are, during their development, of 
most brilliant bronzy or metallic tints. This peculiar 
character is particularly noticeable among the Adiantums, 
some of which, like A. Veitchii, rubellum, tinctwm, macro- 
phyllum, and others, are endowed with most gorgeous hues, 
turning from a delicate pink to a bright magenta, and finally 
changing to a glaucous green tint of exquisite softness, 
before taking the uniform and permanent green colour 
which they retain to the end of their existence. The same 
changes of colours also apply to Blechnum occidentale, 
Doodia media, and D. aspera multifida, to the striking 
Didymochlena truncatula, the ever - charming dwarf- 
growing Lomaria L’Herminieri, the handsome, large- 
growing Davallia polyantha, and many other species of 
small or large habit. ‘To those who might object that the 
variations in colour above referred to. only belong to the 
early part of the vegetation of the plants, it may be 
answered that, as Ferns of an evergreen nature are growing 
nearly all the year round, the objection is not of great 
consequence, as there is always a variety of colour to be 
seen and admired wherever a certain quantity of these 
plants are grown. 
Ferns for purposes of culture may be divided into two 
broad sections—hardy and exotic, the former in this 
country succeeding ont of doors, and the latter requiring 
glass protection (see Figs. 380 and 381). 
Harpy Ferns. There are many places in gardens 
where flowering plants cannot live, and these are well 
adapted for the cultivation of Ferns. Whenever practic- 
able, the Hardy Fernery should be situated in a 
natarally moist and cool spot, and, strong light being in 
most cases objectionable, the neighbourhood of tall, 
deciduous trees should have preference over all other 
places, as in this case the plants would be little exposed to 
the sun, and protected from strong winds. A position with 
a north aspect is the one most ‘suitable, the plants having 
then a maximum of light without being spoilt by the sun. 
The Hardy Fernery should be constructed of stone, in the 
form of rockwork, either on the level ground or as a ravine, 
excavated toa greater or less depth. In whatever form the 
Fernery is arranged, drainage is of the utmost importance, 
and should be provided for the ready escape of surplus 
moisture, It should be borne in mind that, in the formation 
Ferns—continued. 
of the Outdoor Fernery, it is most essential to study the 
requirements and comfort of the plants in preference to 
showing the building of the rockwork, and to provide against 
the disastrous effects of high winds, which are injurious to 
all Ferns. Besides the friendly shelter of neighbouring 
trees, as stated elsewhere, the tenderest kinds may also be 
protected by the judicious grouping of the more robust 
sorts, which, when planted in masses, considerably help in 
procuring the comfort necessary to the well-being of the 
smaller and more delicate species. 
In planting the Hardy Fernery, the distribution of the 
evergreen and of the naturally deciduous species should be 
carefully considered, and the plants arranged in such a way 
as to avoid at any time a bare appearance, and allow the 
whole place to remain covered with foliage during the 
resting season. The introduction of North American and 
certain Japanese Ferns, which haye proved quite hardy 
under our climate, has materially added to the great 
diversity of size and habit as represented by the British 
species and their numerous varieties. 
The planting of the Hardy Fernery may safely take place 
at any time from October to March; but if it is tolerably 
sheltered it is preferable to plant in autumn, as root-action 
in most hardy Ferns commences long before there are any 
visible signs of vegetation, and in that case the plants 
moved in the autumn will, if kept sufficiently moist during 
the winter, make a quantity of fresh roots, upon which the 
new growth is mostly dependent. If, however, the place 
where the Hardy Fernery is situated is exposed, it is 
preferable to plant only in the spring, and just before 
vegetation commences, say about the end of March, as the 
plants are then full of vigour, the ascension of sap enabling 
them to take every advantage of the new soil, the nutritive 
properties of which are readily assimilated by the roots. 
Special attention to the nature of the plants employed in the 
plantation of the Hardy Fernery is indispensable, and of 
much greater consequence than the preparation of the com- 
post or material in which the plants are to grow, and which, 
for general purposes, consists of two parts of fibrous loam, 
one part of half-decayed leaf-mould, and one part of coarse 
silver-sand. , 
An attempt has been made to place in their respective 
positions the British and the hardy exotic Ferns, according 
to their dimensions, and it is hoped that it will serve asa 
guide to amateurs intending to plant a collection of Ferns 
out of doors. With a view to insuring each plant a position 
suitable to its requirements, we have marked with an 
asterisk (*) the kinds requiring more than ordinary moisture 
at the roots, and with a dagger (+) those kinds which prefer 
a somewhat exposed and airy situation ; all others thrive in 
naturally shady and moist places, as previously stated. 
Dwarf species and varieties growing from 4in. to 12in. 
high: Allosorus crispus and A. acrostichoides ; the various 
Spleenworts, such as Aspleniwm Adiantum-nigrum, ebenum, 
fontanum*, lanceolatum, Ruta-murariat, Trichomanest, 
viride ; several prettily-crested forms of the Lady Fern, 
Athyrium Filiz-femina; Blechnum Spicant; Ceterach 
oficinarumt ; Cystopteris fragilis, Dickieana, and mon- 
tanat ; a few varieties of the Male Fern, Lastrea Filix-mas ; 
Lomaria alpina ; the Oak, Beech, and Limestone Polypodies, 
Polypodium Dryopteris, Phegopteris, and calcareum ; Poly- 
podium vulgare} and varieties ; several handsome forms of 
Polystichum (Aspidiwm), including the Holly Fern, P. Lon- 
chitis; numerous forms of the Common Hart’s-tongue, 
Scolopendrium vulgare* ; and Woodsia glabella, ilvensis, 
and obtusa. 
Among the medium-sized species and varieties, growing 
from 12in. to 24in. in height, we particularly note : Aspidium 
cristatumt and A, noveboracense ; Dicksonia punctilobula ; 
several handsome varieties of the Lady Fern and also of the 
Male Fern; Lastrea intermedia, marginale, xmula, 
romoneT Thelypteris® ; the Welsh Polypody, P. cambri- 
cum; and several pretty forms of Polystichwm angulare, 
Scolopendrium vulgare*, and Woodwardia virginica*. 
The principal and most ornamental species and varieties 
growing 2ft. and upwards are: Athyrium Michauwii and 
several varieties of A. Filix-femina, such as Howarde, 
Grante, Elworthii, plumosum, setigerum, todeoides, &e. ; 
Lastrea Goldieana, and several varieties of L. Filix-mas, 
such as Bollandie, Barnesii, grandiceps, Ingramii, 
Vineare, &c.; also Lastrea dilatata and its several crested 
varieties. The North American Onoclea sensibilis* and 
Osmunda cinnamomea*, interrupta*, giacilis*, as well as 
