FERNS IN THE MIXED BORDER 41 



A single vase of ostrich ferns or regal os- 

 mundas on each side of an entrance, thus 

 serving as sentinels, combine grace and 

 dignity befitting the situation. 



FERN BEDS 



In shady street parks I have seen ovals 

 filled with stately ostrich ferns (Matteuccia 

 Struthiopteris), which were quite as imposing 

 as the red cannas in neighbouring sections. 

 The ferns were closely set and enclosed with 

 wire netting, so that the winds had no pur- 

 chase; without these precautions the first 

 storm of summer would have taken, the 

 grandeur out of them on short notice. 



The maidenhair {Adiantum pedatum) is a 

 safe fern for this purpose and very artistic, 

 if foiled by a few plants of the Christmas 

 fem (Polystichum acrosttchoides). 



A strikingly beautiful effect is produced 

 by sowing seeds of the scarlet field poppy in 

 beds of the hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia.) 

 Both are airy and light, and in no way inter- 



