DESIRABLE HARDY FERNS 



207 



Fig. 72.— A Well-known Native Hardy Fern. The Christmas fern is really 

 a Polystichum, but it is usually called Aspidiam acrostichoides by florists who sell 

 tons of it for holiday decorations. It is truly hardy, remaining green under the 



snow all Winter 



make a showy bed possible all Summer. I don't mean on grounds 

 where extensive plantings and mass effects are being carried out. 

 But on the smaller home grounds with which the florist is apt to 

 come in contact such combinations might well be considered. Where 

 there isn't too much shade you can use, for instance, Aquilegias, 

 ferns, and Iris. This is not to say that all three will do their best 

 under the same conditions, but they can be made to present an 

 attractive combination in partial shade. 



Conditions that Suit Ferns 



Whether you go East, South, North, or along the Northwest 

 or West you will find magnificent ferns in their natural environ- 

 ment. There are but few of the most desirable ones that do not 

 appreciate the company of trees, and the leafmold which for centu- 

 ries has been forming at their base. That alone is sufficient to tell 

 anyone what ferns require in order to do well. Give them the 

 best soil, and the mellowest, you can; a liberal amount of sand never 

 hurts any of them, and some of the taller growing varieties don't 

 object in the least to manure to feed on. 



In many sections, maybe right in your own neighborhood, at 

 one time there were beautiful native ferns growing. Usually, as 

 sewers, streets, concrete sidewalks and a residence district take the 



