FERNS IN THE MIXED BORDER 39 



(Osmunda), is worth looking at in any situa- 

 tion and easy of culture. A few well- 

 disposed plants create a display unrivalled 

 for simple elegance among the ferns. Our 

 native species O. spectabilis is an excellent 

 counterpart of the European one. 



The boulder or hay-scented fern (Denn- 

 stadtia punctilobula) is considered one of the 

 most decorative of the entire fern family. 

 Growing as it does from an extensively creep- 

 ing rootstock, it is unmanageable in a limited 

 border, but it is a good fern for massing in 

 the open. The effect of the shimmering 

 fronds, so "delicately wrought and sweet of 

 scent," flanked by evergreens, is highly 

 artistic. 



The sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis) 

 makes a fine bit of colour, grown en masse 

 in a damp corner. 



For a dry, stony bank there is nothing 

 better than the marginal shield fern (Dryop- 

 teris marginalis). The Christmas fern (Poly- 

 stichum acrosticboides) is equally fine for 

 low massing. 



