826 



Gardening for Amateurs 



I^ady Fern (Asplenium Filix-foemina). 



The Best Time for Planting, lifting, 

 dividing and replanting hardy ferns is in 

 early spring, just when the young fronds 

 are expected to commence pushing \ip. 

 Failing this, do whatever planting is desired 

 in autumn, as soon as the fronds of the 

 deciduous kinds have withered. 



The removal of the old fronds, especially 

 from the deciduous kinds, requires a little 

 consideration. Some few growers, in their 

 anxiety to keep 

 everything in the 

 garden spick and 

 span, cut off the 

 fronds as soon as 

 they wither. This is 

 a great mistake, and 

 is, in fact, harmful, 

 for the old fronds 

 protect the crowns 

 or centres of the 

 plants in winter. 

 The best time to cut 

 them off is in spring, 

 when fresh growth 

 is pushing up. At 

 this time, also, a 

 mulching of leaf- 

 mould is beneficial. 



Ferns and 

 Flowers. Though 

 hardy ferns may be 

 the principal occu- 



pants of a rockery or border 

 in shady parts of the garden, , 

 its charm can be much en- 

 hanced by planting a few 

 flowers such as Hardy Cycla- 

 men, Hellebore (Christmas 

 Rose and Lenten Rose), the 

 smaller Narcissi, Lilium Mar- 

 tagon, Anemone Hepatica, 

 and Colchicum. We must 

 also remember that in rock- 

 eries of any pretensions there 

 are always or nearly always 

 a few half-shady nooks 

 where ferns will give more 

 satisfaction than flowering 

 plants. The fronds of many 

 ferns notably the Lady 

 Fern and the Male Fern 

 are useful for arranging in 

 vases with flowers. 



Though there are only some twelve or 

 thirteen genera of British ferns, kinds to 

 suit many and varied positions are available. 

 Several thrive in the crevices of old walls, 

 others in heavy shade beneath trees, a few 

 in swamps, many more on the banks of 

 streams, and others in full sun. They are 

 also exceedingly diverse in growth, and so'me 

 are only 2 or 3 inches high ; while the Royal 



Hart's Tongue (Scolopendrium vulgare). 



