Toole’s Native Ferns 
The grace and beauty of our wild ferns hold an attraction to garden lovers that is 
most interesting, proving that brilliancy of color is not needed to gain appreciation if 
there is beauty of form, grace of outline and intriguing differences in texture and color 
shading. 
While some ferns will endure or even thrive in sun if provided with sufficient mois¬ 
ture, all varieties seem to appreciate a measure of protection from the sun, varying from 
light shade at mid-day with Pellaea and Woodsia illvensis to the dense shadows of heavy 
forests enjoyed by the Maidenhair fern. 
All of the ferns are adapted to both spring and fall planting, though late spring plant¬ 
ing of the larger varieties requires extra care in providing moisture until the roots 
are established. 
If you have any special problems regarding your plantings of ferns or wild flowers 
or native shrubs, write me and I will be glad to give such information as I can. 
Hardy Ferns are being used very freely for shady places around the house, for shaded 
parts of the rock garden, and, for shaded borders or woodland paths. 
Most all Ferns require a plentiful amount of leaf mould or peat in the soil where 
they are planted to give the best results. 
Do not plant Ferns deeply, and those with crowns such as the Ostrich Fern should 
be planted with half the crown above the soil. Ferns may be planted either in the spring 
or fall, when they are dormant, or even during the growing season if extra care is used. 
If planted in the fall, mulch with leaves or straw for protection over the first winter. If 
planted during the growing season, the tops should be cut off and new foliage will soon 
form. 
Ferns sometimes have a tendency to ripen off rather early in the season if the sum¬ 
mer is very hot and dry. Frequent and plentiful watering will extend their season very 
materially. 
ADIANTUM 
Pedatum—(Maidenhair) The Maidenhair, 
a favorite among our native ferns, thrives 
in deeper shade than most kinds. Be¬ 
cause of its delicate grace it needs pro¬ 
tection from strong winds. Requires 
rich humus soil. 12-24 inches. Each 25c; 
$2.00 per 12; $12 per 100. 
ASPLENIUM 
Platyneuron— (Ebony Fern) A medium 
sized fern for the rock garden or shaded 
bank. Each 25c; 12 for $2.50; $15.00 
per 100. 
Trichomanes— (Maidenhair Spleenwort) A 
tiny little fern of delicate beauty. Here 
we find it in rock crevices, where the 
rotting leaves have left a loose spongy 
humus. Eairly heavy shade. Each 25c; 
12 for $2.50; $15.00 per 100. 
ATHYRIUM 
Felix-femina (Lady Fern) One of the 
indispensable varieties where a graceful 
fern growing from 18 to 36 inches is 
needed. Although it will grow under 
widely varying conditions, it does best 
in a rich humus soil, well drained but not 
suffering at any time for moisture. Each 
25c; 12 for $2.00; $12.00 per 100. 
BOTRYCHIUM 
Virginianum—(Rattlesnake Fern). Sterile 
frond triangular, the form, common here 
growing about 8 to 12 inches high. Fer¬ 
tile frond having something the form of 
a rattlesnake’s rattles. Deep rich woods. 
Each 25c; 12 for $2.50; $15.00 per 100. 
CAMPTOSORUS 
Rhizophyllus —(Walking Fern) A curious 
low growing fern with heart-shaped 
leaves, often found growing in dense mats 
on rocks where the shade is dense 
enough to insure a moist condition. Each 
20c; 12 for $2.00; $12.00 per 100. 
CHEILANTHES 
Feei —(Lipfern) A very tiny fern with 
tufts of wooly fronds growing from crev¬ 
ices on the southerly side of limestone 
cliffs. I have not as yet been able to get 
it established in my own garden. Each 
35c; 3 for 95c. 
CYSTOPTERIS 
Bulbifera—(Bulblet Fern) Long narrow 
graceful fronds from 8 to 24 inches long, 
depending on moisture and soil. Tiny 
little bulblets on the backs of the fronds 
drop off and start new plants. Shade and 
good humus soil. Beautiful when forced 
as a winter houseplant. Each 25c; 12 for 
$2.00; $12.00 per 100. 
Fragilis—(Brittle Fern) Delicately cut 
fronds from 5 to 10 inches long. Good 
for the shaded moist rock garden. Great- 
