the fernery... Ferns prove that you don't need bright flowers to create exciting planting schemes. Producing spores rather than flowers to reproduce, their delicate fronds can form a rich tapestry of green shades that can cover a floor or wall. They're easy to grow, and come in a wide range of shapes and sizes.
Ferns are one of the earliest types of plant to evolve on Earth, dating back to before dinosaurs. The Victorians were fanatical about these quirky plants. They built special greenhouses, called ferneries, to collect them, with the term Pteridomania invented to describe this hobby. People who couldn't afford ferneries would still try to grow them - they ripped up their rockeries and replaced them with stumperies.
Ferns are just as fashionable today. People appreciate their unfurling fronds and unique texture. Tree ferns in particular are useful for adding structure and instant impact to a garden or courtyard.
Varieties Tree ferns:
There are about 20 species of Dicksonia tree fern, but only a few are hardy enough to try to grow in the UK.
Dicksonia antarctica is the most popular tree fern. It's hardy to about -5oC (23oF), making it the most suitable to the UK climate.
Dicksonia fibrosa, another hardy tree fern, originates from New Zealand. It's slightly smaller than D. antarticia, so better if you have limited space.
Dicksonia squarrosa is more elegant, but not as hardy as the above two. And the trunk is also prone to drying out. It's more suitable to a shady greenhouse.
Other hardy ferns to try:
Asplenium scolopendrium, Hart's tongue fern, is one of the most popular evergreen ferns. It offers year-round interest when grown among shrubs or other shade- and moisture-loving perennials.
Athyrium filix-femina, Lady fern, is an attractive deciduous fern that's suitable for cool, shady corners. It has delicate, lace-like foliage.
Blechnum spicant, Hard fern, is an evergreen variety with tough, leathery leaves that can tolerate some dry soil. But it generally prefers damp shade.
Dryopteris filix-mas, Male fern, likes a cool, shady site, but will cope better with sunnier and drier conditions than many others.
Dryopteris filix-mas, 'Linearis', Male fern, is deciduous and grows to about 1m (3ft) high, with large clumps of narrow, green leaves.
Dryopteris wallichiana, Wallich's wood fern, is native to the Himalayas. With attractive, shuttlecock-like leaves, this deciduous plant grows to about a 1m (3ft), also with large clumps of narrow, green leaves.
Matteuccia struthiopteris, Ostrich fern, is sometimes called the shuttlecock fern, because of its shape. It's suitable for borders in dappled shade.
Osmunda regalis, Flowering fern, is one of the larger ferns with foliage that turns an impressive golden colour in autumn. It requires dappled shade and neutral-to-acidic soil.
Polystichum aculeatum, Hard shield fern, is an evergreen with tapering, ladder-like leaves. It's suitable for borders in light shade.
Polystichum setiferum Plumosodivisilobum Group, Soft shield fern, is drought-tolerant, but unsuitable for a sunny situation.
