FERNDALE NURSERY—ASKOV, MINNESOTA, 1037 
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 
shrubsi 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 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 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 favor¬ 
able 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 frondsi, 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 frondsi from being nipped by a late frost. The mulch 
will also help to preserve moisture. 
PEAT MOSS OR PULVERIZED PEAT 
Practically the same as imported German or Holland peat moss except 
it is not dried or baled. We have acres of it on our land and use loads and 
loads of it as a mulch and to mix in spil for acid loving plants such as 
ferns, arbutus, bearberry, gentians, and many others. 
It is an excellent mulch on heavy soil where it preserves moisture and 
prevents cracking of the soil. We offer this pulverized peat as it comes 
from the ground in sacks of about 100 pounds for $1.50, or sacks with about 
50 pounds for $1.00. Should be shipped only by freight. 
