DESIRABLE HARDY FERNS 



207 



'ig. 72. A WELL-KNOWN NATIVE HARDY FERN. The Christmas fern is really 



Polystichum, but it is usually called Aspidium acrostichoides by florists who sell 



DBS of it for holiday decorations. It is truly hardy, remaining green under the 



snow all Winter 



nake a showy bed possible all Summer. I don't mean on grounds 

 vhere extensive plantings and mass effects are being carried out. 

 3ut on the smaller home grounds with which the florist is apt to 

 ome in contact such combinations might well be considered. Where 

 here isn't too much shade you can use, for instance, Aquilegias, 

 erns, and Iris. This is not to say that all three will do their best 

 inder the same conditions, but they can be made to present an 

 ittractive combination in partial shade. 



CONDITIONS THAT SUIT FERNS 



Whether you go East, South, North, or along the Northwest 

 r West you will find magnificent ferns in their natural environ- 

 nent. There are but few of the most desirable ones that do not 

 ppreciate the company of trees, and the leafmold which for centu- 

 ies has been forming at their base. That alone is sufficient to tell 

 nyone what ferns require in order to do well. Give them the 

 >est soil, and the mellowest, you can; a liberal amount of sand never 

 turts any of them, and some of the taller growing varieties don't 

 bject in the least to manure to feed on. 



In many sections, maybe right in your own neighborhood, at 

 bne time there were beautiful native ferns growing. Usually, as 

 liewers, streets, concrete sidewalks and a residence district take the 



