DESIRABLE HARDY FERNS 



211 



plant it along with others of dwarfer habit such as Polypodium 

 valgare, for the Phegopteri, of which there are several varieties, 

 all develop more or less of a stem before the leaflets of the fronds 

 start, and this makes them rather long-legged. 



WOODSIA ILVENSIES 



Woodsia ilvensis or Rusty Woodsia, is a splendid dwarf-growing 

 fern which can be used in planting rockeries, whether around the 

 bottom or away up on top where there is usually more or less of a 

 lack of moisture at times. It grows about six inches in height and 

 makes a good companion for Polypodium vulgare. While it will do 

 well in the shade, it is equally at home in sunny positions. Plant 

 it in the Spring. 



WooDWARDiA ANGUSTiFOLiA (Hardy Chain Fern) 



The Woodwardias grow about a foot in height and their fronds 

 are about three inches wide. They love a deep, cultivated soil 

 where they always have an abundance of moisture about their 

 roots. In a shallow dry soil they don't amount to much, but give 

 their roots a chance to draw up moisture and they certainly will 

 thrive. If you have wet spots, plant Woodwardias in them in pref- 

 erence to other ferns; however, they will do equally well in a rockery 

 if you have plenty of good soil in it. 



Fig. 73.— The Populab Habdy Maidenhair Fern. Modest, graceful and deli- 

 cate, it is also hardy and easily grown. It can be coUected m its native woods in 

 late Sununer, but the retail grower will do better to buy small stock from a specialist 



