124 
HENDERSON’S PICTURESQUE GARDENS 
HARDY FERNS AND FERNERIES 
Ferns, although deprived of the gorgeous colors of flowering 
plants, possess compensating merit in the exquisite freshness of their 
tints of green and the grace and elegance of their diversified forms. 
The charm and beauty of Ferns, whether grown collectively or as 
specimens, render their culture very fascinating. We have among 
hardy Ferns a rich variety, much greater than many people realize, 
both in size and habit. Some species produce dainty little fronds 
only an inch or two long ; others send up fronds three to four feet 
high and of proportionate breadth. Some are pendulous, minutely 
divided and of delicate texture; others are grandly arching and of 
thick, leathery substance. Among hardy Ferns the shades and tints 
of green are also beautifully varied from a pale semi-transparent 
shade to a hue of deep rich black green. Others are of yellowish 
green, and some almost blue, with a metallic luster, bronzy, etc. 
Then there are Evergreen Ferns — that is, the fronds of one season 
are retained until others are produced the following season. The 
foliage of the deciduous varieties dies off annually, although the 
roots are perennial. 
The number of species of hardy Ferns and their numerous 
varieties enable a selection to be made for different situations, in- 
cluding locations where it is difficult to grow any other class of 
plants, and where the use of Ferns will transform a dreary waste, 
shut off from the sunshine, to a paradise of greenery. Such posi- 
tions are often seen between buildings, in the angles on the north 
side of a house, a wall, a fence, or in a shaded back yard. Suitable 
positions for hardy Ferns may be found in most gardens; in fact, 
one of the prettiest Ferneries we have ever seen was established 
among a pile of rocks in a shaded back yard. Other attractive 
situations for growing hardy Ferns are in bordering terrace steps, 
woodland walks and shrubbery; among flowering plants in the 
hardy border, on rough hillsides, in shady glens and gullies, by the 
banks of streams, in the woods, in crevices and nooks of old stone 
walls, etc. But it is in the Hardy Fernery, built up of rough stones 
in a picturesque and natural manner, and planted with a collection 
of the various types that the vast wealth of Fern beauty and variety 
is displayed, and here they will grow undisturbed for years, attaining 
a size and luxuriance rarely seen under ordinary culture. In such 
a place may be supplied conditions suited to all kinds and sizes 
of hardy Ferns, either shade-, moisture-, or sun -loving, their places 
being selected according to their size and habit. 
The popularity of Fern -growing is happily increasing where 
people have learned that the supposed difficulty in their culture has 
been greatly magnified. In fact, the growing of hardy Ferns is 
extremely simple. Once planted, due regard having been given to 
suitable varieties for the positions, they require but little care, 
excepting to see that they do not suffer for lack of water. Hardy 
Ferns are very accommodating plants; if they do not get all they 
want they will do their best with what is supplied ; but for luxuriant 
perfection certain essentials in their cultivation should be observed. 
There are a few wild Ferns that thrive on dry hillsides, and also 
some that luxuriate in boggy swamps, but the great majority of the 
family, although moisture -loving plants, cannot thrive at all in stag- 
nant moisture. Therefore, the secret of success is in supplying for 
them a soil that will constantly remain moist, even while the plants 
are dormant, and yet this must never become water -logged and 
sour. In other words, while the roots are to have efficient drainage, 
they must not dry out. These conditions are not as hard to supply 
as might be imagined; leaf-mold from the woods, or peat, or both, 
and fibrous soil from the under side of sods, mixed half-and-half, 
form a compost that will absorb and retain moisture. Then if 
there is intermingled with it small stones — crushed sandstone pref- 
erably — the soil will remain porous and open, thus facilitating 
drainage. If the larger stones and some old woody roots can be 
placed underneath, the conditions for a permanent and luxuriant 
Fern plantation are ideal. In preparing rockwork for Ferns the 
soil -pockets must be deep, and connect with the ground below. 
The situation for a Fern border. Fernery, rockery, or other arrange- 
ment of growing Ferns should be where the plants will be protected 
from strong winds, and be partially shaded by overhanging trees or 
a wall. In arranging the plants, attention should be given to inter- 
mingling the deciduous and the evergreen kinds over the' space 
covered, so that it may be more or less furnished at all seasons. 
The varieties that are abundant may be planted into good-sized 
groups with a space allowance sufficient for them to develop their 
natural characteristics. This treatment is usually more pleasing than 
when plants are dotted here and there individually. Do not over- 
