FERNS IN THE MIXED BORDER 27 



There is to my mind no happier combina- 

 tion in the mixed fern border than that of the 

 ostrich and maidenhair ferns (Plate 6). It 

 is impossible to find more strongly contrast- 

 ing species. As an embodiment of grace and 

 dignity Matteuccia Struthiopteris has no peer. 

 Perfection of growth is reached only in swampy 

 lowlands, the rich alluvial soil producing a 

 grand vase-like circle of foliage often higher 

 than a man's head; fine specimens are often 

 found skirting dry woodlands or following 

 the wall in an upland pasture. Thus by 

 nature cosmopolitan, it takes kindly to the 

 situation indicated. The fertile fronds are 

 like nothing else under the sun. Curious 

 stiff brown spikes appear within the ver- 

 dant circle, a most unfemlike product, which 

 claims the honour of naming the species, as 

 botanists long ago discovered the plume-like 

 arrangement of its divisions. The sterile 

 fronds might share the honour, for if any- 

 thing in Nature resembles a plume it is the 

 sterile frond of an ostrich fern in June before 

 the tips of the segments have lost their curl. 



