The Garden Magazine, September, 1920 
17 
by their use, they are peculiarly valuable. So for banking 
about the bare foundations of houses, particularly on the 
shaded sides; as backgrounds for smaller growths of flowers; 
as ground covers for barren spots under heavy shrubs or trees; 
as edgings for flower-beds; as transformers of rocky areas; and 
for planting either in masses or as single specimens, do not over- 
look Ferns. 
In size these plants are as nicely graduated as those famous 
fleas Dean Swift tells about which had smaller fleas to bite ’em, 
and so on ad infinitum. When tall growths are desired, the 
gardener can secure Ferns three, four, or even five feet in 
height — though the latter are not so common as lower growths 
to be sure. From that size they slowly descend the scale until 
tiny little varieties are reached with fronds but two or three 
inches long. Thus Nature has provided a suitable size for 
every sort of space — and whether they are wanted for mass 
plantings or as solitary specimens, or to fill in a dark corner or 
occupy a spot in the full sun, one has but to seek and he shall find 
the suitable variety. 
Among the taller varieties suitable for backgrounds, for 
banking about the house, or as screens to hide unsightly areas, 
are the Silver Spleenwort (Asplenium acrostichoides) and 
Goldie’s Wood-fern (Aspidium Goldianum). Each attains a 
height of thirty-six inches, and under favorable conditions may 
low growths, there are a number that reach a height of approxi- 
mately two feet. It must be borne in mind however that they 
will grow taller or shorter than the figures given according as 
their cultural conditions hinder or stimulate growth. Among 
Ferns of this sort that can be successfully cultivated are the 
Lady-fern (Asplenium filix-foemina) — the Spinulose Wood-fern 
(Aspidium spinulosum), the Male-fern (Aspidium filix-mas) 
the Ostrich-fern (Onoclea Struthiopteris), Clayton’s Flowering 
Fern (Osmunda Claytoniana), and the Royal Fern (Osmunda 
regalis), which is another of the flowering ferns. Of these both 
the Male-fern and the Spinulose Wood-fern are evergreen. 
All are shade lovers, and all but one like moist situations. Clay- 
ton’s Flowering Fern alone prefers a dry location. Both the 
Lady-fern and the Ostrich-fern are excellent as single specimens. 
Among Lerns of more moderate height — say eighteen inches — 
may be mentioned the Hay-scented Lern (Dicksonia puncti- 
lobula), the drying fronds of which have a pleasing aroma, the 
common Brake (Pteris aquilina) and the Marsh Shield-fern 
(Aspidium Thelypteris). The first will grow where it is either 
moist or dry, the two latter require moist situations. 
N ATURE has provided numerous little Lerns for low masses, 
as edgings or wherever they are wanted. These include 
the Ebony Spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron), the Maiden- 
HERE IS THE HOME THE MAIDENHAIR CHOOSES FOR ITSELF 
Beneath the shade of tall woodland trees yet half in the open this, perhaps the loveliest 
and certainly one of the most satisfactory to grow of all Ferns, is not particular 
about soil — nor will it be greatly disturbed by more than its own choice of sun 
grow taller. Each prefers the shade. Goldie’s Wood-fern 
is very showy and an excellent variety to plant where a single 
specimen large Fern is desired. Unfortunately neither of these 
is evergreen. But Clinton’s Wood-fern (Aspidium cristatum 
var. Clintonianum) possesses both size and continuous ver- 
dancy. It attains a height of thirty inches or more, and like 
the two others mentioned, it loves shaded and moist situations. 
The Cinnamon-fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) is still another 
variety suitable for tall backgrounds. It grows as high as Clin- 
ton’s Wood-fern, and also loves moist, shady places. And it 
furnishes color too; for when young it is clothed with a rusty 
wool that gives it a warmth of tone highly desirable in the 
springtime. The fertile fronds, shorter than the sterile, appear 
first and are covered with cinnamon-colored sporangia. These 
are succeeded by the taller, sterile green fronds. 
Of Ferns of medium height that are suitable for planting in 
front of higher backgrounds, or as backgrounds themselves for 
hair Spleenwort (Asplenium Trichomanes), the Walking-leaf 
(Camptosorus rhizophvllus), the Brittle Fern (Cystopteris 
fragilis), the slender Cliff-brake (Cryptogramma Stelleri), and 
a number of others. The list that can be brought under culti- 
vation is indeed large. 
Commonly we think of Ferns as growing only where it is 
dark and moist. Most Ferns do grow in such situation, yet 
there are many varieties that will thrive in the sun, or even 
where it is dry. The number that will grow in the sun is con- 
siderable, but the list depends somewhat upon moisture con- 
ditions, for there are few Ferns that will grow where it is both 
sunny and dry. The Marsh Shield-fern for example will grow 
in the sun, but needs moisture. This Fern is light green in color 
and should be planted in masses to make much of an effect. 
The Ostrich-fern will also grow in the sun where there is an 
ordinary amount of moisture. It is a rank growing plant of 
large size, and the best effect is secured by planting it in col- 
