HARDY FERNS 93 



Polypodium vulgare (the Polypody). — In this species we 

 have a number of distinct and beautiful varieties. The 

 normal form grows freely on old tree stumps, and in 

 shady nooks on the Rockery it succeeds well. With 

 this Fern, when growing naturally, it is greatly assisted 

 by the accumulation of leaves, etc., in which the spread- 

 ing rhizomes root freely. For this and all its varieties 

 a rough compost consisting of peat, leaf-mould, a little 

 fibrous loam, and sand should be used, and the pots 

 well filled up in the middle, so that the rhizomes can 

 spread. Of the many beautiful plumose varieties, 

 cambricum is one of the oldest, and still a popular Fern. 

 This is another plumose Fern which does not produce 

 spores, but it may be readily propagated from divisions 

 of the spreading rhizomes. This also applies to P. v. 

 trichomanoides and other plumose forms. The crested 

 varieties, or rather most of them, produce spores. Yet 

 to keep the finest forms true, they should also be pro- 

 pagated by divisions, though seedlings may also be 

 raised. All of the above are evergreen, and have fronds 

 of good substance, which will stand exposure to the 

 sun. It is, however, in shady positions where they are 

 seen at their best. 



Polypodium dryopteris (the Oak-Fern) This is a 



charming species, with rather small triangular fronds, 

 which are tripinnate, of a soft pale green, and are 

 deciduous. The rhizomes spread freely beneath the 

 surface, and it delights in sheltered nooks. When grown 

 in pots good drainage should be given, and a loamy com- 

 post used. Shallow pots or pans are preferable, as they 

 give more room for the spreading underground stems. 



Polypodium phegopteris (the Beech Fern). — This is some- 

 what similar to the above, but has the two lower divisions 

 of the fronds drooping, while the others stand out at 

 right angles. It is rather a mystery that it should be 

 called the Beech Fern, unless it is that it is found in the 



