FERNS IN THE MIXED BORDER 33 



a charming effect is produced by the narrow- 

 leaved spleenwort (Asplenium angusti folium), 

 the rarest of the tall spleenworts. There is 

 nothing in the fern kingdom which looks so 

 cool and refreshing on a hot day as a mass 

 of this clear-cut, delicately made-up fern. 

 Although rarely growing in such profusion 

 as in the natural habitat, it is cultivable and 

 makes a pretty addition to the wild garden. 

 An exposed situation is not advisable, as the 

 fonds are of so thin a texture that they are 

 easily broken by summer storms or victim- 

 ised by the earliest frosts. There seems to 

 be an affinity between this species and the 

 strongly contrasting Goldie's fern (Dryop- 

 teris Goldieana). When we find one we are 

 very likely to find the other close at hand. 



THE AGGRESSIVE LADY FERN 



The lady fern (Asplenium FiUx-fcemind) 

 is usually in evidence in any collection, often 

 a chance comer. It is persistent and aggres- 

 .sive, often crowding out more delicate species. 



