ROCKWORK FOR FERNS 53 



feet. No great expectations need be in- 

 dulged in even at this low point, for none of 

 our regal beauties that would answer for a 

 centrepiece can endure the winds if thus 

 elevated and isolated. 



I had in my mind's eye an elegant vase- 

 like ostrich fern (Matteuccia) , which should 

 crown my rockery with dignity and grace. 

 My aspirations, however, were blown away, 

 for no sooner did a frond unroll its curly tips 

 than a wind promptly snapped the brittle 

 stalk, and an inglorious and untidy "study 

 in ferns" marred an otherwise successful 

 creation. The plant was eventually removed, 

 but stolons had penetrated in all directions 

 and a fringe of young ostrich ferns appeared 

 just below the summit; a beautiful wild aster 

 volunteered inside the circle. Thus did 

 Nature artistically adjust my failure. 



THE BEST FERNS FOR ROCKERIES 



Large clumps of osmundas and Dryopteris 

 Goldieana were literally built into the four 



