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FERNDALE NURSERY—ASKOV, MINNESOTA, 1935 
HARDY FERNS 
Ferns planted among your shrubbery, in the perennial border, or in the foun¬ 
dation 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 beautiful 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 vege¬ 
table 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 
irost from killing the young fronds. 
Hardy Ferns should be planted when dormant any time between 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 planting. 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 water¬ 
ing 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 beau¬ 
tiful than many varieties of palms. The fronds, under favorable conditions, attain 
a length up to 4 feet. 
Lady Ferns. (Asplenium Fsemina). 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 anything 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. 
A FERN BED FOR ONLY $5.00 
Collections of Hardy Ferns 
These collections are recommended for special conditions as stated below. 
We offer these collections for $5.00 each parcel post prepaid, or one-half for 
$3.00 
By express not prepaid, each collection $4.00, or any one-half $2.25. 
You can order by number and say one or one-half collection and we will make 
no mistake. 
We have these Ferns dormant almost up to July 1st. 
