1934 Ferndale Nursery—Askov, Minnesota 3 
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Hardy Outdoor Ferns 
Ferns planted among your shrubbery, in the perennial border, 
or in the foundation planting around your house, especially on 
the north and east side or under tall trees, bring to your home 
a fragrance from the wild woods, in some of nature’s most beau¬ 
tiful creations. Plant in groups of at least 3 to 5 each of each 
variety, scattered at irregular distances. 
Cultural Directions 
These hardy outdoor Ferns do not make satisfactory house 
plants; they will do best in shade or half shady spots in the 
garden and mixed in between shrubs in foundation planting on 
the east and north sides of buildings. Some of these, like the 
Osmunda, Claytoniana, Lady and Sensitive Ferns and Ostrich 
Fern will do reasonably well in considerable direct sunlight, but 
will fade earlier than when planted in shade or half shade. They 
do best in light soil containing much vegetable matter or humus 
and covered with rotting wood shavings, peat or straw, which 
keep them from sprouting too early in the spring, preventing a 
late night frost from killing the young fronds. 
Hardy Ferns should be planted when dormant any time be¬ 
tween Sept. 1st and July 1st. They prefer a settled foundation 
and cold feet. If late spring planting is followed by a dry, hot 
summer the fronds are likely to dry up in the middle of the 
summer the first season. 
On arrival it will do them good, especially in the spring, to 
dump them in a pail of water for a day or more before plant¬ 
ing. Plant crown level with the ground and give them a good 
soaking of water to settle the soil solidly among the roots. Then 
level off with dry soil or sand and mulch to preserve moisture 
and keep sun and wind out. One or two good soakings of 
water later will benefit but is not necessary, unless in a very 
dry season. Do not sprinkle; a light watering will do more 
harm than good. 
Frost will not hurt the roots, but will kill the fronds. They 
will come back either the same or next season. Neither will 
frost hurt the roots in transit; they can safely be shipped during 
the winter, and if frozen on arrival, unpack and lay them on 
the ground in a shady place and cover with any kind of damp 
material and let them freeze. They will keep well until you 
are ready to plant. 
Of all the Hardy Ferns the Ostrich Plume, also called the 
Palm of the North, is perhaps the best as it grows the tallest 
and fastest of any Fern. It often has as many as fifteen fronds 
gracefully arranged, presenting an object more beautiful than 
many varieties of palms- The fronds, under favorable con- >. 
ditions, attain a length up to 4 feet. 
Lady Ferns. (Asplenium Faemina). A large handsome Fern — 
a wood and roadside Fern presenting many varying forms, is 
of a distinct type from the Ostrich. 
The Osmunda Claytoniana or flowering Fern is clothed with 
loose wool when unfolding its fronds, which sometimes under 
favorable conditions attain a height of more than four feet; is 
beautifully cinnamon colored. This variety will also do well 
in the open or dry shady places. 
These three Ferns represent three distinct types. They are 
easy to establish, and will come back stronger year after year. 
They will grow in common garden soil, which can be improved 
by addition of some leaf mold, muck, or pulverized peat. After 
planting, and every fall, give a mulch of leaves, straw or any¬ 
thing to keep them from sprouting too early in the spring and 
to prevent young fronds from being nipped by a late frost. The 
mulch will also help to preserve moisture. 
