CHAPTER XVII. 



FERNS SUITABLE FOR THE AQUATIC GARDEN- 



THE FRINGE of the water garden is an ideal place for Ferns. As embel- 

 lishments for shady spots where few other plants will grow, Ferns will 

 give most gratifying results. On the margin of the pond where partial shade 

 is afforded or not, on a bank by the side of a running stream, or associated with 

 other plants on the rockery, their graceful fronds lend a most welcome and 

 desirable change of foliage. 



Wliat Ferns do love — nay, demand — is plenty of moisture; in preparing a 

 place for their reception, then, care should be taken that the soil be so drained 

 that while the Ferns can have plenty of the moisture they need, there shall be 

 no standing water about their roots. 



As to soil, all Ferns thrive best in a light porous earth. If the soil is 

 " made " the proportions should be about one-third sand and two-thirds good 

 leaf mold, with, perhaps, some peat added. However, most Ferns in the 

 following list will grow well in almost any garden soil. 



Ferns love shade as much as they do moisture, and while there are 

 several species that will grow in the open sunlight and present a fresh and 

 green appearance, these very species do much better and throw up finer 

 and larger fronds when in shade. Some, however, are not lovers of deep 

 shade, and seem to attain their best development in open woods or half shade. 



The best time for transplanting is either very early in spring or in the 

 fall. Generally, any time after midsummer will do. The majority of Ferns 

 produce in spring a set of fronds which last through the summer, no new ones 

 being produced. These species should be transplanted if possible, while the 

 plants are resting, but if not, they may be taken up carefully at other seasons. 

 Those which send up fronds all summer may generally be transplanted at any 

 time, and, if cared for, for a few days, will begin again to produce new fronds. 



