110 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GARDENING. 



well through November. Later on, too, the Ivy 

 loses nothing of its richness, when each bunch of 

 flowers grows into a round-headed group of dark 

 berries, that show up well above the rich and far- 

 reachiag spread of fine foliage that distinguishes 

 the Irish Ivy. 



The fernery is so arranged as to afford a rich and 

 extensive variety of sites and soil ; and the bold sys- 

 tem, of massing the different families in groups has 

 been adopted to a great extent. At considerable 

 . elevations on the slope, where the ground is compa- 

 ratively dry, grand masses of the Male Fern {Lastrea 

 Filix-mas), Polystichums, Diplaziums, Polypodium, 

 etc., abound. Lower down, in more moist and shel- 

 tering nooks and corners, choice groups of such ferns 

 as the finer varieties of Blechnums, Cyrtomiums, 

 Cystopteris, Allosorus, Onoclea, Struthiopteris, kc ; 

 svhile in the lowest parts of all, where the soil is rich 

 and moist, large masses of the Royal Fern [Osmimda 

 regalis) find a congenial home, and rise to a great 

 height. This, as well as most of the more choice 

 species, are planted in a mixture of equal parts of 

 peat and loam, and thrive admirably. 



Every provision is, however, made at Danesbury 

 for copious over-head waterings in dry weather. 

 This not only di'enches the roots, but cleanses and 

 thoroughly refreshes the tops. 



Though the foreground of this fine fernery is 

 mostly furnished with ferns in gxoups in a manner, 

 yet a good many Saxifrages and other plants are 

 used with them, while the rocks themselves at many 

 points are enriched with the smaller and more choice 

 of the rock ferns. The sheltering and densely- 

 shaded dells are also admirably adapted for the 

 successful cultivation of such shade and moisture- 

 loving subjects as the Trichomanes and Hymeno- 

 phyllums, the most delicate of all the ferns that can 

 be grown in the open air — or rather in sheltered 

 caverns in our climate. 



Another noteworthy fernery is that at Woolver- 

 stone, where some steep banks of a cHff, dipping 

 north, have been seized on, and paths made to run 

 winding under and about to get at the various parts, 

 some of which are planted mostly with ferns, and 

 others with plants having fine foliage or a tropical 

 look. One of the most useful of these is Foly- 

 rjonuin Sieboldii, which, though by some considered 

 common, is well adapted for semi-wild places, 

 as it will thiive almost anywhere and in any kind 

 of soil, the roots running quickly under ground, 

 and sending up strong hollow shoots, that grow 

 at a great rate, reaching a height of from five 

 feet to eight feet in a few weeks, and dying away 

 again in the autumn. The leaves, besides being 

 large, are of an elegant shape and a lively light green 

 colour; and the flowers, which are creamy- white. 



resemble the Lily of the Valley in form, and are 

 borne in the greatest profusion. Another plant that 

 shows up conspicuously is the Giant Cow Parsnip 

 [Seracleum giganteum), which has huge spreading 

 leaves, and very tall flower-stems that bear large 

 umbelliferous heads, a foot or more across, which seed 

 freely and soon stock a place. One of the most 

 graceful-habited plants that can be introduced into 

 the hardy fernery is the Arundinaria falcata, or 

 Neilgherry Bamboo, which is very suitable for 

 planting near the margin of water, as it likes a 

 moist situation, and when its long slender rods, 

 with light foliage, droop over, as they soon do, it 

 forms a most beautiful object, and one that is sure 

 to attract notice even from the most casual observer. 

 Chamcerops Fortunii, the Chinese Palm, is also grand 

 for associating with ferns ; and, being of a bold 

 type and very tropical-looking, it should have a 

 prominent position by placing it so as to stand out 

 in the foreground where it meets the eye. By using 

 it in this way, it gives character, and becomes a 

 striking object when it attains size and age. 



A fine colony of ferns at Woolverstone are the 

 Struthiopteris germanica, called by some the Shuttle- 

 cock Fern, and by others the Ostrich Fern, the 

 arrangement of the fronds being like those of 

 the feathers of a shuttlecock, and their form and 

 handsome appearance resembhng ostrich-feathers, 

 which similarity is enough to recommend the plant 

 as a very desirable one — as really it is, being one 

 of the most distinct and striking among all hardy 

 ferns. 



Another that cannot be too highly spoken of is 

 the Woodwardia radicans, which, though generally 

 grown in a green-house, is sufficiently hardy to stand 

 out in the open with a little protection, the best being- 

 fresh-fallen leaves or cocoa-nut fibre, as these lie 

 light and are capital non-conductors, keeping off a 

 good deal of frost. As the TToodwardia radicans has 

 very long, gracefully-arching fronds, it should be 

 planted well up, where they can have plenty of room 

 to spread and droop without touching the ground. 

 Lomaria cMlensis is likewise a noble fern, requiring 

 about the same care as the Woodwardia during the 

 winter. 



For other hardy ferns see ^Ir. Britten's lists in the 

 series of Fern articles. 



Other Plants that Associate well with 

 Ferns.— Besides those already named the following 

 are very striking : — 



Gtmnera scabra is a grand-leaved plant that likes a 

 wet spot, and deep rich soil ; but, as it is not quite 

 hardy, it needs some protection, which is easily 

 afforded by throwing a bushel or so of leaf-mould 

 over the crown. Funkia Sieboldii is particularly 



